Round 8 V.League: Coach Hoang Van Phuc is on high alert for Phan Van Duc

In the second leg of V.League 2017 at Tam Ky Stadium, SLNA was the team that opened the scoring, taking the lead twice but Quang Nam brought the match to a dramatic 3-3 draw.

After that match, coach Hoang Van Phuc admitted: "SLNA lost points because they only played with one foreign player, which is only a part. As I said, SLNA were trained in the same training ground, with good and even techniques. Olaha, although not scoring, supported the defense and attack very well and was an effective bridge. We also want to take advantage of the force with 2 foreign players and 1 naturalized player because the domestic force of Quang Nam is not even."

This year, both SLNA and Quang Nam are in a difficult situation as they desperately need points to escape the bottom group of the V.League. Coach Hoang Van Phuc shared: "SLNA is second to last in the V.League table, but we cannot underestimate them. This team has a very high fighting spirit and has many talented young players in the squad who are showing signs of getting into form. A typical example is Phan Van Duc."

Midfielder Phan Van Duc is in top form. Photo courtesy

While many of his U23 Vietnam teammates have yet to find themselves again after winning the Asian Silver Medal due to pressure, Phan Van Duc is shining at SLNA. This midfielder is often included in the starting lineup by coach Nguyen Duc Thang and has scored 6 goals in the National Cup, V.League and AFC Cup.

Recently, Phan Van Duc scored in both quarter-final matches of the National Cup, helping SLNA overcome Da Nang to reach the semi-finals. After being eliminated from the National Cup by SLNA, SHB Da Nang coach Minh Phuong also had compliments for the performance of SLNA's young midfielder.

“Returning from his victory with U23 Vietnam, Phan Van Duc is much more confident and plays dangerously. His strengths are speed and positioning. Phan Van Duc is even more dangerous when playing alongside midfielder Ho Khac Ngoc, who has accurate passes, and striker Ho Tuan Tai, who is in form and has scored three goals in two quarter-final matches of the National Cup,” coach Hoang Van Phuc analyzed.

Coach Hoang Van Phuc. Photo: Trung Kien

Quang Nam are the current V.League champions. However, they have had a poor start to the season with only 8 points after 7 matches. SLNA are also struggling, sitting second to last with 6 points. The two teams will face each other at Tam Ky Stadium on May 20.

“Many people say that Quang Nam did not play in the National Cup recently so they have better physical strength. In reality, that is not a clear advantage. SLNA beat Da Nang 3-1 at Hoa Xuan, so in the return match on May 15, they played lightly, still keeping their players and strength. I believe the Nghe team has as much physical strength as us,” added coach Hoang Van Phuc.

Phan Van Duc's impressive performance at AFC Cup and V.League 2018

(Baonghean.vn) - With 3 goals in V.League and 1 important goal in AFC Cup 2018 in Song Lam Nghe An's shirt up to this point, it can be said that among the players returning from the U23 Asian Cup, Phan Van Duc is the star with the best performance.