V. League 2022: SLNA 'slow but sure'?

There are a myriad of different ways of doing things from the clubs participating in the V. League, making the atmosphere of the tournament even more bustling and exciting. Many clubs first of all take care of the standard field, all conditions on the field are suitable according to the requirements such as SLNA, Thanh Hoa, Hai Phong... But the most focused is still taking care of the force from promoting young players to the first team to compete in youth tournaments to hone their skills, buying foreign and domestic players, and training matches before the official tournament to assemble the team.

The public is excited to watch the spectacular pre-tournament chase between the two Vietnamese football giants, HAGL and Hanoi FC. Of course, no one will be inferior to the other when these two teams not only retain their best players but also continuously bring in great foreign players such as striker Baiano and midfielder Barbosa (HAGL) to compete with Ivancic or Djuro (Hanoi FC)... Certainly, the competition in the transfer market, buying good players and inviting talented coaches will lead to a fierce, uncompromising competition on the field between the two clubs led by two famous coaches in the region and the continent, Kiatisuk Senamuang and Park Choong Kyun.

With many years of experience playing football in V.League, Dinh Hoang will be an important player to help coach Huy Hoang renew SLNA's playing style in the new season. Photo: Duc Anh

Meanwhile,SLNAWhen having a new sponsor, it also shows that it is not inferior to its younger brother or older sister in all aspects and is determined to regain its golden age. However, there is one thing worth paying attention to: SLNA's preparation before the tournament so far has been in a quiet, secretive direction, such as training matches and buying foreign players more slowly than its opponents.

SLNA has not participated in notable training tournaments such as the Quang Trung Emperor Cup, Viettel training tournament as well as the Hoa Lu-Ninh Binh Cup...? SLNA has played 2 matches with SHB Da Nang and 1 match with Saigon FC and there is information that they will participate in a friendly tournament in Vung Tau to select foreign players?

Obviously, it is impossible to properly evaluate all aspects of SLNA when only playing friendly matches with "mid-level" teams as mentioned above. SHB Da Nang played very poorly in the recent tournament (lost 2, won 1). Saigon FC also did not have many notable movements before the tournament, so it is unclear whether the recent practice with this team will be of much help to Coach Huy Hoang or not?

V-League 2022 will be played in a home and away format with 26 rounds. Photo: Minh Duc

SLNA fans must be impatient because up to now, besides midfielder Olaha who has returned (and has not officially played so it is impossible to confirm whether he has achieved the same form as before), there are no names of at least 2 remaining foreign players? When Ngoc Hai returns, of course the foreign central defender position will not be a priority for selection. When Olaha is available, the striker or winger position can be assured, so the 2 hard positions that need to be recruited will be 1 central midfielder and 1 striker? We do not know what the final result will be, but it seems that recently, SLNA has not shown the same level of luck as the first years of searching and connecting with foreign players?

Not the most complete picture, but the friendly matches of B. Binh Duong, T. Binh Dinh or HAGL are all worth watching and really useful for the players before the new season. B. Binh Duong plays defense-counterattack very skillfully and it is worth mentioning that there are many young factors appearing on the field with confidence and efficiency such as Vi Hao, Viet Cuong... T. Binh Dinh buys many quality domestic players and over time, this team will be very formidable against all opponents. And HAGL, although missing a series of pillars due to being called up to the national team, under the hands of Kitisuk and the great foreign squad, has played more effectively than expected.

Fighting spirit is what Nghe An fans want SLNA to prove and promote in the current difficult time in the V.League arena. Photo: Hai Thinh

Thinking about it, I feel worried about SLNA when the foreign players have not yet gathered, the trusted youth team has not shown confidence (see their performance at the U21 tournament for example?) and Coach Huy Hoang has not been tested in practice for his ability to lead the team? And more than anyone else, the preparation process before the tournament has not shown smoothness and coherence to be ready at the highest level for the new season?

Material time still exists but time waits for no one, if there is no effort, no progress along with other teams, will everything become more unpredictable in the future? Or in fact, is there a SLNA "slow but sure" when everything is still in the hands of the leaders and coaching staff?