Tuan Anh returns, how formidable is HAGL against SLNA?

Most likely, Zico Thailand will return to a 4-defender formation when meeting SLNA because Van Duc is a player with technique and speed.

Not many V.League teams play with a 3-4-3 formation, HAGL themselves have failed when playing with 3 central defenders. To be successful in this style of play, two wingbacks must have good physical strength, and be able to attack and defend in harmony. Both central midfielders have good ball-fighting skills, defend from a distance, and can withstand strong attacks from the opponent.

Monotonous style of play

But with the use of two midfielders Kien Quyet (left) and Van Thanh (right),HAGLThe left wing was paralyzed, because Kien Quyet had almost no coordination with Cong Phuong. The right wings Van Toan and Van Thanh had much better attacking moves, but the midfield Cao Van Trien (Saigon) destroyed the midfield because Xuan Truong and Viet Vuong did not have enough physical strength to compete.

Captain Xuan Truong had a rather lackluster match at Thong Nhat Stadium. Photo: Goal

This caused the three central defenders Huu Tuan, Van Viet, Kim Dong-Su (thong) to block above goalkeeper Tuan Linh, constantly being threatened by the opponent. Meanwhile, leaving Damir Memovic on the bench was considered a waste by the Thai coach, because this central defender has a lot of experience playing atV.LeagueAfter 2 seasons in Vietnam. Not to mention 12 corner kicks but HAGL did not pose any danger to Saigon FC's goal because there was no player with good height like Damir Memovic.

Back to the old plan

After losing at Thong Nhat Stadium, seeing with his own eyes the situation where 4 HAGL players were left with only 3 home players but still conceded a goal, Kiatisak knew the level of the defense was still too immature. In our opinion, with the mandatory requirement of earning 3 points at Pleiku home field, HAGL will most likely return to the 4-defender formation. Simply put, they still have a foreign center back Damir Memovic, a former SLNA player, to pair with Kim Dong-su.

Expected tactical diagram against SLNA. Photo: AT

With Hong Duy returning to the left wing, Minh Vuong will be pushed to the wing to make room for Tuan Anh to pair with Xuan Truong, so the home team's attack and defense will be more balanced. With this formation, left wingers Van Thanh and Van Toan will take turns marking Van Duc, the most important explosive player of the away team. HAGL players all know that SLNA will play very hard and aggressively, pressing all over the field to limit the technical play of the home team.

The 3 Kings of Hell,Cong Phuong, Van Toan plays right behind striker Washington Brandao. This foreign player will have the task of creating a wall for players Minh Vuong, Cong Phuong, Van Toan to cut into the flanks of SLNA's fullbacks and central defenders. In fact, having just arrived in the Mountain City, the Thai coach has not yet been able to change HAGL's playing style. HAGL fans still jokingly say: "Thai Zico still has to use "model writing", using Van Toan's tireless running steps to penetrate the opponent's defense."

Will Cong Phuong play as an attacking midfielder? Photo: Goal

For many people, using 3 foreign players, including 2 central defenders, is a huge waste, an “inverted triangle” compared to current V.League teams. But those who understand the team’s internal affairs see that Kim Dong-su playing central defender, moving freely, is not a bad option. When the pressure is pushed to the away field, HAGL will turn into a 3-1-2-3-1 formation with a lot of attacking power towards Van Hoang’s goal.