Believe in youth

(Baonghean.vn) - Playing away against a formidable opponent when the force is lacking in the front and back, butSLNA still got 1 point.What makes Nghe An team play so well?

The necessary confidence

Hai Phong is the most difficult team to play against SLNA, even in the 2011 V-League season, the Nghe An team won the championship but still left Lach Tray empty-handed. Last year at home, SLNA still lost 0-2. In the last 5 matches, Hai Phong was undefeated against SLNA, they won 4 and drew 1 match. In the last 5 matches at Lach Tray, the home team Hai Phong was undefeated with 3 wins and 2 draws.

When there were 8 players who were injured, including goalkeeper Le Van Hung, central defenders The Nhat and Manh Hung, defender Dinh Hoang; midfielders Sy Sam, Ngoc Toan, Xuan Thang, Phu Nguyen, and the trio Ngoc Hai, Van Khanh, and Tuan Tai who had just landed, no one thought they would have a chance when facing Hai Phong.

Along with Van Duc, midfielder Khac Ngoc is the best player on SLNA's side. Photo: Dung Nguyen

However, seeing Khac Ngoc moving all over the field, Van Vinh writhing on the field after a collision or Van Khanh seemingly using his whole body to block Stevens' dribbling path, we can see that SLNA's coaching staff has brought fire to the match. It must be said, it has been a long time since SLNA's players played with such passion on the away field against a stubborn Hai Phong.

The number of 20 fouls divided equally between the two teams with nearly a dozen yellow cards showed the fierceness of the match. If the home team's defender Anh Hung had to leave the field on a stretcher, the "veteran" Van Vinh of SLNA had to drag his feet off the field, and Phi Son had bruised legs.

It has been a long time since all three lines played well, the midfielders dared to hold the ball, controlled the game well and did not get sucked into the opponent's play. Despite being behind early, the young SLNA players still played quite confidently throughout the rest of the match, quickly equalizing 1-1 and putting pressure on the home team.

The speed of youth

The appearance of 21-year-old midfielder Van Duc has breathed new life into the Nghe An team's attack. For a long time, the front line was thin in their defensive counter-attacks, with the two foreign players Henry and Olaha, especially Olaha, often receiving the ball and controlling the passes awkwardly, making them easy to be blocked by the opposing defenders.

Originally a striker, assigned to play as a left midfielder, Van Duc often boldly holds the ball, breaks into the 16.5m area to threaten goalkeeper Van Phong. It has been a long time since Quang Tinh left SLNA that people have seen Xuan Thang and now Van Duc dare to boldly break through the opponent's defense. If he was lucky, Van Duc would have scored two goals at Lach Tray Stadium because in the early second half, if he had been more experienced, that move would have been a goal.

Obviously Phi Son is still the most important player of SLNA with 979 minutes of playing time after 11 matches, with 2 goals and 2 assists, but with someone sharing the load on the opposite wing, SLNA's attack is stronger.

Van Duc (20 SLNA) is considered the best player of the match. Photo: Dung Nguyen

Van Duc's goal was an unexpected situation, from the left wing, this midfielder suddenly moved into the center, pushed the ball to the right wing and shot diagonally to score. It is true that the absence of naturalized center-back Van Phu has weakened Hai Phong's defense, but we cannot help but praise Van Duc's enthusiasm and energy on Lach Tray field.

To counter Fagan’s speed and aggressive play, Stevens forced SLNA’s coaching staff to ask both Henry and Olaha to retreat very low to the midfield to fight for the ball. This was the time for young players with speed and confidence in holding the ball like Van Duc and Tuan Tai to come on the field to show themselves.

According to commentator Dang Gia Man, the 1-1 draw against host Hai Phong was SLNA’s best away match this season. If we consider it broadly, this match is only behind the 2-1 comeback win against SHB.Da Nang at Vinh Stadium. SLNA’s coaching staff and players “knew themselves and their enemies” to create a safe game and control the situation.

The key is still to prepare well for the match and boldly use young players, especially those with good individual technique.

AT