Pham Xuan Manh's absence - a difficult problem for SLNA

This is extremely disappointing news for the SLNA coaching staff and Nghe An fans. The absence of Pham Xuan Manh will greatly affect the strength of the Vinh team in the near future. Because the importance of Manh “Kalou” to SLNA is not small.

Returning after a long period of injury, Pham Xuan Manh has always been highly regarded by coach Nguyen Duc Thang in recent matches. Up to this point, the midfielder from Yen Thanh has played 827 minutes and contributed 1 assist for SLNA (the pass that helped Ho Tuan Tai score in the 2-2 draw with Saigon on May 31).

Pham Xuan Manh will need about 2 weeks to recover from his injury. Photo: Archive

Possessing a strong physical foundation, an enthusiastic yet intelligent playing style, Pham Xuan Manh not only plays well as an attacking player but also excellently completes the task of supporting the defense. It is not an exaggeration to say that the 23-year-old player is one of the most stable players of SLNA in recent times.

What is special is that Manh “Kalou” is a very versatile player. In addition to the right winger position, the player born in 1996 also often plays the positions of left winger, left back and right back.

In the match against Saigon (July 16), Pham Xuan Manh was arranged to play in the left-back position, replacing Tran Dinh Dong. In the match against HAGL (July 21), the former U23 Vietnam player was pulled to the opposite wing to "replace" Tran Dinh Hoang, due to a penalty card. And Pham Xuan Manh excellently completed the assigned task. Unfortunately, with the injury he just suffered at Thien Truong Stadium, Manh "Kalou" will have to "sit and watch" for about 2 weeks. Most likely, the player wearing the number 11 shirt will have to miss all 3 upcoming matches of SLNA (against Viettel on August 2, against Hai Phong on August 11 and against Khanh Hoa on August 18).

Losing a talented and versatile player like Pham Xuan Manh, the problem for SLNA's coaching staff is extremely difficult.

Will Cao Xuan Thang (left) replace Pham Xuan Manh's role? Photo: Archive

In the match against Viettel, most likely, with the return of striker Olaha, Ho Tuan Tai will be arranged by the coaching staff to play in the left wing position. Thus, the right wing position left by Pham Xuan Manh is a competition between Cao Xuan Thang, Nguyen Quang Tinh, Ho Phuc Tinh and Nguyen Sy Nam.

In many aspects, Cao Xuan Thang is the strongest candidate to replace Pham Xuan Manh. Since the beginning of the 2019 season, the player wearing the number 17 shirt has been used by coach Nguyen Duc Thang many times in the right and left wing positions and has played quite successfully. In addition to the goal against B.Binh Duong in round 3, Cao Xuan Thang also created many good opportunities for his teammates to score, typically the assist for Vo Ngoc Toan to score against Saigon in round 12./.