Round 10 V.League 2018, SLNA - Hanoi: Behind is the wall
(Baonghean.vn) - In recent seasons, even with the strongest squad, SLNA still found it difficult to beat Hanoi. However, in the upcoming round 10 of the V.League, in the context of the Nghe An team being forced into a corner, it is difficult to say whether coach Van Sy Son and his team will have an easy match at Vinh Stadium.
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| Song Lam Nghe An welcomes the 2018 V.League championship candidate in a situation where they have nothing to lose. Graphics: Trung Kien |
The past is irreconcilable
In the past, Hanoi was always SLNA’s favorite team. A rich team, representing the modern way of playing football based on a strong financial foundation. The other team with a long tradition is still proud of generations of “homegrown” players. Therefore, not only HAGL, Hanoi is always considered the “big rival” of the Nghe An team. Every time the two teams meet, it is always hotter and more dramatic than what the audience expects.
Times have changed, the identity factor has been built by Hanoi for many years. The proof is that in the capital team's squad there are 6 U23 Vietnam players including Duy Manh, Duc Huy, Quang Hai, Thanh Chung, Thai Quy and Van Hau.
Meanwhile, SLNA only has 2 faces Van Duc and Xuan Manh. Youth is easily seen in this match, Hanoi players have an average age (23.3), only lower than HAGL (22.4) and SLNA (24.7).
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| Previous confrontations between SLNA and Hanoi were always fierce matches. Photo: Hai Thinh |
When Hanoi has a deeper squad thanks to investment in youth training, the fateful confrontation with SLNA is no longer equal. Since 2011, Hanoi has always been ranked in the top 3 strongest teams in V.League, but for SLNA, V.League 2011 is also the most recent season that the Nghe An team won a medal.
The numbers speak for themselves.
According to statistics, in the last 18 meetings in V.League, the two teams drew 10 matches, Hanoi won 5, SLNA won 3. However, in the last 2 years, SLNA has not had a single win against the "great rival". The only match in which the Nghe team beat Hanoi was in the 1/4 round of the National Cup in 2017, the two teams drew 1-1 before entering a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
In terms of current form, SLNA is completely inferior to its opponent in all aspects. Hanoi has not known defeat after 10 matches, sitting comfortably at the top of the rankings with 23 points, while SLNA has only 7 points with only 1 win.
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In the last 5 matches, SLNA won 2 in the National Cup, lost 2 and drew 1 in the V.League; while the away team drew 2 in the National Cup, won 3 in the V.League. Hanoi is not only the team with the best defense (6 goals conceded) but also has a "goal tree" Oseni Bolaji with 11 goals. This means that on average, the Nigerian player scores more than 1 goal per match, and Oseni alone has a superior scoring efficiency compared to the entire SLNA team combined (8 goals).
This season, SLNA has only scored 2 goals at Vinh Stadium, no wins yet, but with Hanoi, they have scored 14 times on away field, regardless of the opponent. Looking at those statistics, SLNA seems too fragile against the championship candidate.
Force situation
In this match, SLNA continues to be weak in terms of players. Center back Hoang Van Khanh will not be able to play because of a serious injury from the HAGL match. Physical strength will be a difficult problem for SLNA's coaching staff. The match schedule is too dense, constantly having to move a lot, causing coach Duc Thang's students to show signs of overload. Players such as Ngoc Hai, Khac Ngoc, Van Duc, Xuan Manh have all played 16-18 matches this season.
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| Both SLNA and Hanoi are weakened in terms of force. Photo: PV |
While Hanoi is likely to not have the service of midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai due to a knee problem, Hanoi FC still has certain problems with its force before this away trip. Two foreign players Moses and Oseni both suffered minor injuries, while midfielder Duc Huy limped off the field in the previous match after a collision with a Thanh Hoa player. However, if they recover in time, Hanoi's attack will be a nightmare for Que Ngoc Hai and SLNA defenders.
Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem cannot return due to disciplinary action, but Coach Sy Son is not far behind, especially when Hanoi welcomes the return of Pham Thanh Luong.
SLNA has nothing to lose
Facing a Hanoi team with so many diverse and flexible tactics, it will be difficult for the home team to play an equal and open game. However, SLNA's most powerful and fearsome weapon is their spirit and their fearless playing style. SLNA has never been in a situation like this before. There is no other way, to break the opponent's playing style, SLNA must play hard, play hard and choose a defensive style from afar.
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| The young stars of SLNA are facing many difficulties. Photo: Thang Nguyen |
Having completed their mission at the National Cup and said goodbye to the AFC Cup, SLNA has really focused their efforts on the V.League arena. In a dire situation, with only one win more than the bottom team Nam Dinh, SLNA will have to play a life-or-death match to salvage the current situation. The upcoming match is not only for honor and achievement but also an opportunity for SLNA to regain the trust of Nghe An fans, who are gradually losing their patience.
In football, it is difficult to predict anything, but the upcoming match at Vinh Stadium is predicted to have all the flavor of a "big battle". There will be goals and possibly penalty cards - an interesting encounter between the giant and the warriors thirsting for victory, cornered./.
EXPECTED LINEUP:
Hanoi Club:Minh Long (GK), Van Hau, Van Quyet (C), Van Kien, Thai Quy, Thanh Luong, Dinh Trong, Duy Manh, Van Dai, Hung Dung, Oseni Bolaji.
SLNA Club:Vu Hai (GK), Xuan Manh, Ngoc Hai (C), Manh Hung, Dinh Hoang, Ngoc Toan, Khac Ngoc, Van Duc, Michael Olaha, Tuan Tai, Osmar Francisco.
Song Lam Nghe An: "Dedicated to the people"
(Baonghean) - That is a famous saying of former Nghe An Provincial Party Secretary Le Doan Hop during a visit to SLNA football team.
