Top 5 most disappointing foreign players of SLNA
(Baonghean.vn) - The Nghe An team is still highly regarded for its ability to recruit foreign players. In fact, experts even consider SLNA a "transit point" for foreign players for other V.League teams. However, recently, the team based in Vinh has frequently made deals that seem like "throwing money away."
Here are the 5 most disappointing foreign players for SLNA, as voted by Nghe An Newspaper.
1. Willis Plaza
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| Forward Willis Plaza (right). Photo: Duc Dong |
Recruited by SLNA in the 2011 season, the Trinidad & Tobago striker only returned to Vinh Stadium at the beginning of the 2013 season, after two seasons on loan at Navibank Saigon. Unfortunately, Willis Plaza failed to live up to the expectations of the SLNA coaching staff and football fans in Nghe An province. Four goals in the 2013 V.League season was all Willis Plaza managed for the Vinh Stadium team.
2. Voinea Petrisor
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| Forward Voinea Petrisor (in white shirt). Archival photo. |
Following impressive performances for The Vissai Ninh Binh Cement team in the 2014 AFC Cup (4 goals), the Romanian striker was recruited by SLNA to play in the second half of the 2014 V.League season. In contrast to his time at the Hoa Lu capital club, Voinea Petrisor became a shadow of his former self at the Nghe An team. Statistics show that Voinea Petrisor played in 11 matches and scored only 1 goal.
3. Danko Kovacevic
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Forward Danko Kovacevic. Photo: Quynh Trang |
At the end of the first half of the 2017 V.League season, SLNA unexpectedly terminated the contract of striker Henry Shackiel, who had scored 6 goals in 13 appearances. It was thought that the arrival of Danko Kovacevic would make SLNA's attack more effective, at least compared to what Henry Shackiel had achieved. However, the Montenegrin striker performed poorly, especially in the V.League (9 matches, 1 goal).
4. Osmar Moreira
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Forward Osmar Moreira. Photo courtesy. |
Entering the 2018 season, SLNA acquired the services of striker Osmar Moreira, a player who had a successful 2016 season with HAGL. Despite high expectations, Osmar Moreira failed to live up to them. Injuries were the main reason for the Brazilian striker's significant decline in form. One goal in eight starts is proof of the 1987-born forward's ineffectiveness.
5. Marcio Alves
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Forward Marcio Alves (in yellow shirt). Photo: Xuan Thuy |
Continuing with their policy of relying on foreign strikers, it's no surprise that SLNA signed Marcio Alves just before the start of the 2019 season. Like Osmar Moreira, Marcio Alves is a Brazilian player who only lasted at SLNA for about half a season. Failing to prove his worth (0 goals, 1 red card), the striker born in 1990 had his contract terminated prematurely by the Nghe An team.
This season, SLNA's squad includes three foreign players: center-back Gustavo Santos (Brazil), striker Peter Onyekachi (Nigeria), and striker Alagie Sosseh (Gambia).
Football fans in Nghe An province are hoping they will not "repeat the mistakes" of the five players mentioned above.
