V.League 2019: Expert Nguyen Thanh Vinh highly appreciates SLNA

PV:How do you evaluate the preparation process of the teams, especially SLNA, for V.League 2019?

Expert Nguyen Thanh Vinh:In my observation, most of the teams have been seriously preparing for the new season. Typical examples are the rookies Viettel, Quang Nam, Ho Chi Minh City Club, B.Binh Duong, Saigon... This is a good sign for Vietnamese football. Therefore, V.League 2019 is really worth watching.

In addition to the names mentioned above, I am also very impressed with SLNA's preparation process. Although losing Ngoc Hai to Viettel, SLNA's leadership has made great additions such as Van Binh, Quang Tinh, Dinh Dong and Trong Hoang. Hopefully, SLNA's coaching staff will effectively promote the resources they have at hand.

Coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh. Photo courtesy

PV:Will the Nghe An team have enough strength to compete for the 2019 V.League championship, sir?

Expert Nguyen Thanh Vinh:Personally, I think, with the current force and situation, SLNA will find it difficult to compete with Hanoi. However, to win a position in the TOP is completely feasible. In theory, SLNA's domestic force this year is much stronger than last year, especially in the midfield. As long as they can recruit quality foreign players, SLNA will be a very formidable opponent in the 2019 season.

That does not mean that coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team has gathered all the strength of a serious candidate for the championship. Objectively speaking, SLNA still cannot compare with the reigning champion Hanoi. The Nghe team may be able to defeat Hanoi in a direct confrontation, but in a long-distance race like V.League, it is too difficult.

PV:So, in your opinion, which team is strong enough to compete fairly with Hanoi in V.League 2019?

Expert Nguyen Thanh Vinh:It is true that this season there are many teams that have invested heavily in personnel, but there is still a huge gap between them and the capital team. Just look at Hanoi's squad. Besides the quality domestic players, there are foreign players and naturalized players who are among the best in the V.League today.

With a beautiful playing style and a series of national players in the squad, Hanoi is increasingly receiving special love from football fans in the capital in particular and football fans across the country in general. That is the medicine that stimulates the fighting spirit of Hanoi players. Therefore, Hanoi will easily win the championship at V.League 2019.

Coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh. Photo: bongdachuyennghiep

PV:Does the fact that Hanoi is so superior to the other teams reduce the appeal of V.League 2019, sir?

Expert Nguyen Thanh Vinh:No. This is just my personal prediction. In football, anything can happen. When the tournament has not started, all teams have the same chance. It is not true that the team with higher ratings will definitely win the championship. For example, in the Premier League season 2015 - 2016, the championship belonged to Leicester City Club.

If football always followed the rule of “the strong win, the weak lose”, no one would call it “the king of sports”. Surprise is a part of football, where the final whistle has not yet sounded, the winning team is still a mystery. Therefore, although Hanoi is rated higher, it is not certain that they will win the V.League this year. Anyway, I still hope that my prediction is wrong.

PV:Thank you for this conversation!