Center back - Specialty of Song Lam Nghe An oven

Steel walls

In recent decades, the defense of the Vietnam National Team has always had the strong mark of Song Lam Nghe An central defenders, such as Huu Thang, Huy Hoang, Minh Duc, Ngoc Hai... They are not only excellent central defenders but also captains who have won many victories for the Vietnam National Team.

It is clear that the common point of the central defenders coming from Song Lam is the fiery playing style, ready to throw themselves and shed blood to protect the goal and the team. Besides that, they have an intelligent playing style, along with a few tricks.

Since the day Vietnamese football became professional, there have been many foreign strikers, however, the defense of Song Lam Nghe An has never been afraid of any attack. Even the best striker in the history of V.League - Hoang Vu Samson had to be wary when facing Huy Hoang or Ngoc Hai.

Former center back Huu Thang is both the captain of SLNA and the leader of the Vietnam National Team in history. Photo: Quang Minh

In the context of the club facing financial difficulties and a constant drain of talent, Song Lam Nghe An has promptly produced generations of young central defenders with quality that is not inferior to their predecessors.

Current CaptainHoang Van Khanhis an example. There was a time when Van Khanh somewhat erased the void left by Que Ngoc Hai but was susceptible to injuries. Although Van Khanh regained his original form after returning, finding someone to play alongside him was not an easy problem. The choice to use foreign players also had an effect at times when Damir Memović and Van Khanh were one of the best central defender duos in the 2019 season. However, after playing outstandingly at Song Lam Nghe An, the Serbian central defender left the club to join Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

With the remarkable progress of Thai Ba Sang, the gap left after Damir Memović left has been somewhat filled. As a young central defender, Thai Ba Sang has quickly shown maturity and intelligence to make up for his less than ideal physique. Having been called up to many youth teams of Vietnam, Sang also has quite a lot of experience in competition. Currently, Thai Ba Sang and his seniors are forming a steel wall to protect the goal of goalkeeper Nguyen Van Hoang.

Center back Thai Ba Sang at Vietnam U22 team. Photo: Archive

After the first 5 matches in V. League 2022, Song Lam Nghe An is one of the teams that has conceded the fewest goals with 3 goals. The defense is one of the pillars for Olaha and Phan Van Duc to confidently shine in the attack. The Song Lam Nghe An center-backs are not only good at defense but also actively participate in the attack, the super free kick of Que Ngoc Hai in the match against TopenLand Binh Dinh or the technical handling of this National Team center-back made all the audience gasp with delight.

The bamboo is not old yet but the bamboo shoots have grown.

After the appearance of the new sponsor, Song Lam Nghe An's finances have become much more stable, and blockbuster contracts have improved the quality of the club. One of them is the former Hai Que. The return of the former Captain of the Vietnam National Team is a hit with two birds with one stone, not only bringing high quality to the squad but also helping to guide the next generation of juniors. When playing alongside a senior who has proven his class, young people like Thai Ba Sang will be more confident and mature.

Coach Huy Hoang is one of the best central defenders in SLNA history. Photo: Duc Anh

In particular, off the pitch, their teacher is one of the best central defenders in the history of Song Lam Nghe An and the Vietnam national team - Mr.Nguyen Huy Hoang.

While the seniors in the first team play better and better, the juniors in the youth team are not far behind. The U-teams of Song Lam Nghe An are always in the top of Vietnam. With the attention of sponsors, the revolution off the field has brought about clear changes. From the facilities, the players' eating and sleeping places, to their daily meals have been significantly improved. Especially, the fear of being neglected when young players are injured is no longer there. With the best possible conditions, the young players of Song Lam Nghe An are training harder to become future Ngoc Hai and Phan Van Duc.

Ho Khac Luong during a training session with SLNA's first team. Photo: Duc Anh

Young central defenders Ho Khac Luong andTrinh Hoang Canhare typical examples. Khac Luong, born in 2001, is one of the rough diamonds, considered a new version of Que Ngoc Hai. Having spent time participating in the youth teams of the Vietnam National Team, then 2 seasons accumulating experience playing at Phu Dong Club, Khac Luong has improved day by day. In V. League 2022, Khac Luong is a backup option for the trio Van Khanh - Ngoc Hai - Ba Sang. Although he has only played once in this year's tournament, the future of this young central defender is still very bright.

Although the name Trinh Hoang Canh is still unfamiliar to Nghe An audiences, if you follow youth tournaments and especially the U19 Southeast Asian tournament that just took place in Indonesia, not only Nghe An fans but also fans across the country are excited to witness the performance of this central defender born in 2003. Good physique combined with calmness, sensitive situation reading and brave playing style have made the strikers of Indonesia and Thailand "turn off the electricity".

Facing great pressure from the home crowd, Hoang Canh, with his leadership qualities, commanded the U19 defense very well to stand firm. The good results against the two rivals brought U19 Vietnam to the semi-finals with the top position in Group A, the group of death. The matches in international tournaments are valuable experiences that help Hoang Canh and other young players gradually improve to become key factors of the club and the national team in the future.

Many good central defenders were trained from SLNA cradle. Photo: Synthesis.

The seniors are writing new pages of history, the young players will have to learn a lot from the previous generations, practice and improve to become the ones to continue the traditions of the club. HopefullyLam River Nghe Anwill continue to produce many talents for the club and the Vietnam National Team.