SLNA's historic Play-off match

(Baonghean.vn) - Song Lam Nghe An is the only Vietnamese football team that has never been relegated since its establishment. However, there were times when the Nghe An team was just a split second away from the abyss.

The possibility of SLNA being relegated from V.League 2017 is not possible. However, the story of the predecessors Nguyen Manh, Ngoc Hai, Phi Son who have worked hard to build the Nghe An team to have the current achievements will make many people think.

The time when Nghe An football team was considered an unknown team, operating under a subsidized model, faced a million times more difficulties than SLNA now. I still remember, once the former famous player Ha Thin told the story. At that time, the A1 league (the highest level at that time) did not have to compete in the home and away format. And walking dozens of kilometers, even nearly 100 kilometers to compete and return to the headquarters was a very normal story.

Apart from three meals a day, the old regime was nothing remarkable. Players practiced under the scorching sun, the special nutritional regime consisted of only one meal with meat. And before going out on the field, they needed green figs and sour star fruit, squeezed dry to fill their stomachs. It was a hundred times difficult, but when they put on their shoes and went out on the field, they forgot everything, burned everything they had. No one dared to look down on them.

Coach Nguyen Quang Hai recounts the unforgettable final match between Song Lam Nghe Tinh and Long An at Nha Trang Stadium in 1991. Photo: Trung Kien.

In 1991, Song Lam Nghe Tinh, with a poor record, had to play the reverse final against Long An. Former player Nguyen Quang Hai, who played as a central defender at that time, recalled that the historic match took place at Nha Trang Stadium under a pouring rain.

The drama of the match was pushed to its climax when goalkeeper Xuan Thuy (Thuy Ngheu) rushed out to block and directly fouled the Long An striker in the penalty area. The referee was strict, sending off goalkeeper Song Lam Nghe Tinh when the whistle to end the first half had not yet sounded.

At the same time, Song Lam Nghe Tinh had to concede a goal right at that moment. The Nghe team was almost certain to be relegated. Anxiety covered the whole team. Because the people in that match were aware that if they did not rise up, Song Lam being relegated would mean losing everything, and would be a mistake to the people of Nghe Tinh.

With no intention of giving up, coach Thanh Vinh had to withdraw Bui Cao Thinh from the field to put Nguyen Xuan Vinh on the field. Playing with one less player and being pressured to the point of suffocation, Song Lam's strong efforts throughout the second half were rewarded. With only 10 minutes left, Dinh Van Dung headed home a 1-1 equalizer from Vu Quang Bao's corner kick.

Not stopping there, in the nerve-wracking penalty shootout, Song Lam missed the first two penalties. Meanwhile, Long An successfully executed them. Luck was finally on the side of coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh and his team, Nha Trang stadium exploded with emotions when in the 6th penalty shootout, Song Lam won.

Coach Nguyen Quang Hai recounted this story with pride. He confided that the match was one that he would remember forever throughout his playing and coaching career until now.

The steel center back of the Nghe An team at that time also admitted that if Song Lam had been relegated, SLNA would certainly not have had the chance to be promoted. Because Song Lam was a provincial team, not invested in and had many difficulties.

There are many opinions that it is difficult to demand much from SLNA at this time under coach Ngo Quang Truong or coach Nguyen Duc Thang. However, the mental factor is a big question mark for fans about the players.

Where does the mental strength come from? It is in the consciousness of the athletes. They are wearing the colors of the two localities of Nghe An and Ha Tinh. They are the pride of a land with a long history and tradition.

SLNA during the period when it was still called Song Lam Nghe Tinh. Photo taken from a document.

The symbol of Nghe An football, Coach Nguyen Huu Thang said: "The players who do not play with all their heart on the field are guilty towards the audience and the fans of Nghe An." To some extent, the young SLNA players today have weakened their strength by making the audience lose the joy and excitement every time they go out on the field in the sun.

Once the players have not realized that their future and reputation all come from their own efforts. SLNA has given them everything, although they are still at a disadvantage compared to many other teams. But at least, they have the right to be proud of what their fathers and uncles have cultivated and worked hard to build a brand like today.

If I have a message for SLNA right now, I hope that every time the players go out to practice or compete, they will motivate themselves with the slogan: “Play well to make the people happy, play to win to make the people happy”. And remember, their mission is no less sacred and noble.

Otherwise, one day SLNA will fall into the abyss. The responsibility does not only belong to the planners, but the players are also the "sinners". The Nghe An team has no goals, hovering in the middle of V.League. However, can't the players set their own goals? If only they knew, they understood SLNA, the team that raised them, more thoroughly...

Trung Kien