What can we learn from Song Lam Nghe An's four disappointing draws?

It should be noted that of the 4 draws, Song Lam Nghe An only managed one away game in Quy Nhon in round 5, while the other 3 were played at Vinh against equally matched opponents: SHB Da Nang in round 1, Ho Chi Minh City in round 6, and their neighbor Hong Linh Ha Tinh in round 3.

It should also be added that only the draw against Hong Linh Ha Tinh, thanks to a last-minute goal, was a "narrow escape" and a stroke of luck. The other three matches against SHB Da Nang, Quy Nhon Binh Dinh, and Ho Chi Minh City were "regrettable draws," because Song Lam Nghe An had the opportunity to achieve more.

In the first round, it's understandable and empathetic to see the younger players at the start of the tournament.Lam River, Nghe AnFurthermore, the foreign players haven't really clicked yet, not to mention the foreign center-back Zaracho committing a serious foul and receiving a red card, which made things difficult for the team for most of the match. The fact that Van Viet and the whole team managed to maintain a 0-0 score against visiting team Da Nang is still more commendable than disappointing.

Meanwhile, Kuku's equalizer from a beautiful free-kick in injury time of the second half against Hong Linh Ha Tinh (an unbeaten team after 6 rounds) was a wonderful gift for the fans, as the foreign striker scored his first goal in 3 rounds, securing a valuable point at home and once again causing heartbreak for the neighboring team who failed to maintain their fragile lead.

The two draws against Quy Nhon Binh Dinh and Ho Chi Minh City in rounds 5 and 6 left many with a sense of regret. Twice taking the lead through goals from Quang Vinh and Olaha, the visiting team Song Lam Nghe An conceded equalizing goals, mainly due to lapses in defensive play and a weak right-backline defense.

In football, it's difficult to say "what if," but it must be said that if Song Lam Nghe An's defense had top-class players like Ngoc Hai, Van Khanh, or a solid foreign center-back, things wouldn't have been so difficult and arduous. Or, in the match against Ho Chi Minh City, even though Olaha and Kuku didn't play exceptionally well, they still had moments of brilliance and deserved goals, a prime example being the dangerous header at the end of the match that Patrick Le Giang saved.

Along with two losses against Hoang Anh Gia Lai in round 2 and against Thep Xanh Nam Dinh in round 4, the aforementioned lucky and unfortunate draws reveal a general picture of Song Lam Nghe An's inconsistent and disjointed start to the season. Van Viet still plays well, but the defense cannot be said to meet the requirements. It's difficult to say which is Song Lam Nghe An's most satisfactory trio of central defenders currently, as coach Pham Anh Tuan has fielded players alongside Zaracho, such as Khac Luong, Nguyen Hoang, Nam Hai, and Van Thanh… The two players considered the "wings" in the 3-5-2 formation have also changed frequently with Van Huy, Dinh Hoang, then Thanh Duc, and most recently Van Cuong, but it seems difficult to expect a smooth transition between attack and defense as required. Xuan Tien starting is a sign of this young talent's return to the midfield, but it's worth noting that his performance has only been average to below average.

And this is the bottleneck, the bottleneck for Song Lam Nghe An: Xuan Tien and the substitute players who "create chances" have failed to produce the necessary breakthroughs in each match. There have been no quick transitions in counter-attacks. There have been no unexpected and incisive passes for the strikers to score. There have been no dangerous crosses from the wing like the ones Sy Hoang used to deliver… Olaha and Kuku are not the type of strikers who "create and score" on their own, but need a plentiful "supply" of opportunities to set them up. They also lack the endless stamina to both defend and be present near the opponent's goal at all times and in all places to turn every opportunity into a goal…

Of course, Song Lam Nghe An couldn't convert their home advantage into three points against the aforementioned average opponents, but it must be acknowledged that there are no easy opponents in the current V.League, and the opponents at the bottom of the table are far more difficult than anyone might expect.

There's no need to panic as Song Lam Nghe An still managed to accumulate one point, and more importantly, gain valuable lessons and experience for the young players. Quang Vinh is playing better and becoming more and more promising. Nguyen Hoang is gradually maturing in the center-back position, which is also a positive sign after the last two matches. And we'll have to wait for Ba Quyen, Xuan Dai, and Nam Hai to return, alongside Van Cuong, who played 90 minutes recently. There's no reason why Van Cuong and his teammates shouldn't explode and make a difference in the upcoming rounds.

Certainly, the relentless effort to secure a victory in the upcoming matches will lead to change and progress for Song Lam Nghe An. After a series of draws that were both fortunate and regrettable, it's clear that opportunities have emerged for Van Viet and Olaha to start over and do better, no matter how tough the opponent may be.