Midfielder Le The Cuong: Impressive return!

Hard work to prove yourself

Returning to Vinh Stadium before the 2017 season started, Le The Cuong was expected to join Tran Phi Son to form a formidable pair of wings for the Nghe An team. After a rather impressive start (scoring in the match against Quang Nam FC in round 5 of V.League 2017), the midfielder from Ha Tinh gradually lost his position to his junior Phan Van Duc. At the end of V.League 2017, the 28-year-old player played a total of 17 matches and scored 3 goals for SLNA.

Le The Cuong (far left - back row) rarely appeared in SLNA's starting lineup at V.League 2018. Photo courtesy

Entering this season, with the departure of Tran Phi Son (transferred to Ho Chi Minh City Club), along with the remarkable growth of Phan Van Duc, the coaching staff of the Nghe An team moved Le The Cuong from the left wing midfielder position to play on the opposite wing, filling the gap left by Tran Phi Son. Unfortunately, in a position that is not his forte, with too short a time to get used to it, the midfielder born in 1990 has not proven much.

In the first matches of V.League 2018, Le The Cuong rarely played the full 90 minutes. He was either substituted or had to come on from the bench. In addition, during a training session to prepare for the match with B.Binh Duong in round 6, the former XSKT Can Tho player suffered a serious injury. The break lasted nearly 2 months, causing Le The Cuong to "disappear" from SLNA's registration list for 7 consecutive matches (round 6 - round 12).

It was not until the match between SLNA and Hai Phong in round 13 that Le The Cuong reappeared on the bench, but did not play a single minute. Things that happened in the following time were not much brighter for Le The Cuong. Occasionally, the player wearing the number 59 shirt was sent on the field by the SLNA coaching staff as a substitute when the match was almost over. It seemed that Le The Cuong's career would sink into oblivion, but a turning point happened.

Reward for efforts

While experts and fans gradually forgot about his presence, Le The Cuong caught everyone's attention. The match against SHB Da Nang on September 14 was only the third time the player from Ha Tinh appeared in the starting lineup of SLNA in V.League 2018. However, with an excellent performance against the Han River team, Le The Cuong not only helped his team gain a valuable victory. Besides, it also helped the midfielder born in 1990 restore some of the trust of SLNA's coaching staff and Nghe An fans.

The two goals against the Han River team both demonstrated Le The Cuong's inherent qualities. In the opening goal (minute 22), the 28-year-old player showed his ability to choose an excellent position to receive a cross from Ho Khac Ngoc. In the second goal (minute 88), Le The Cuong demonstrated his ability to run intelligently to receive a pass from Ho Phuc Tinh. 2 quick, accurate shots were no different from those of a top-class penalty area assassin. It is not an exaggeration to say that Le The Cuong was the best player in the match between SLNA and SHB Da Nang (3-1).

Le The Cuong (right) celebrates the opening goal with teammate Tran Dinh Hoang. Photo courtesy

Perhaps, no compliment is more meaningful to football players than the compliment from their coach. At the end of the match between SLNA and SHB Da Nang, coach Nguyen Duc Thang commented on Le The Cuong as follows: “Although he is a small player, The Cuong is agile and has very good personal technique. Cuong was injured, had a long break from playing and has just returned recently. He played a very hard and effortful match. I send my congratulations to The Cuong”.

With his tireless efforts, the midfielder wearing the number 59 shirt has made an impressive comeback. Witnessing the great performance of Le The Cuong, the SLNA coaching staff and Nghe An fans could not help but be happy and excited. Hopefully, the 2 goals in the match against SHB Da Nang will be a "springboard" to help Le The Cuong reap more success in the SLNA shirt in the near future./.