Trong Hoang - Song Lam Nghe An's 'fourth foreign player'

Having played in over 200 matches across Vietnam's football fields during 13 V.League seasons, Trong Hoang had no difficulty adapting to the 2022 V.League season after a long period of injury recovery. His last appearance for Viettel was in a 1-1 draw against Ho Chi Minh City, after which he underwent lengthy injury treatment upon returning to Song Lam Nghe An.

Trọng Hoàng's return at the end of the season has made Sông Lam Nghệ An's right flank more solid, and coach Huy Hoàng can now move Hồ Văn Cường to reinforce the left wing attack.

Courage, experience, versatility

The arrival of Song Lam Nghe An's "fourth foreign player" distracted opponents, creating opportunities for Van Duc to score two consecutive braces against Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong. With a strong physical foundation, possessing both stamina and agility, Trong Hoang can play in multiple positions: defender, winger, and forward. When needed, the 31-year-old can move into central midfield. The player, who has 58 caps for the Vietnamese national team, can perform well in both 3- and 4-defender formations thanks to his good tactical thinking. Having only played 3 matches (125 minutes) in the V.League this season, Trong Hoang's fitness is still excellent.

Trong Hoang's strength lies in his ability to anticipate and read situations to decide when to tackle. He is increasingly making accurate decisions and aggressively contesting for the ball in interceptions, even against foreign players. When attacking, he often makes sudden bursts of speed, charging straight into the penalty area or delivering highly accurate crosses that leave opposing defenses struggling. Trong Hoang also possesses the ability to unleash powerful shots from 25-30 meters, a new weapon for Song Lam Nghe An that opponents must be wary of.

Upon returning to play for Song Lam Nghe An, besides sharing the attacking burden with Van Duc, Trong Hoang, along with Dinh Hoang, created quite effective overlapping attacks. As players of the same age, Trong Hoang and Dinh Hoang have trained and played together for many years, resulting in excellent teamwork. The strengths of this duo lie in their ability to track opponents, their dangerous crosses, and their boldness in dribbling and breaking through defenses when needed.

Both players, over 30 years old, know how to manage their energy effectively, supporting each other in both defense and attack. With the ability to switch positions and seamlessly transition between attack and defense, Song Lam Nghe An's right wing is much stronger than before. With his experience and composure gained from many years playing in the V.League, Trong Hoang will quickly identify the opponent's weaknesses.

Waiting for a goal

The V.League 2022 has reached its final rounds, and many players, including foreign players, have shown signs of fatigue. The return of Trong Hoang is like a breath of fresh air, maintaining and increasing the tempo of the Nghe An team's matches, giving coach Huy Hoang more options in terms of personnel and playing style. More than ever, Nghe An fans are eagerly awaiting the 31-year-old's first goal in the V.League 2022.

The match in Quy Nhon against Binh Dinh is an opportunity for Trong Hoang to score his first goal since returning to Song Lam Nghe An and to secure his place in the national team for the 2022 AFF Cup. The home team, dubbed the "PSG of Vietnam," is also strong in attacking down the flanks in their 4-4-2 formation, and Trong Hoang's presence will make the match even more exciting.