Hoàng Anh Gia Lai - Sông Lam Nghệ An: Early Formation of a ‘Relegation Final’

After 5 rounds, HAGL is second to last in the league with only 2 points from 2 draws. Slightly better off, SLNA has 4 points and sits in 11th place. Compared to the Mountain Town team, the Nghệ An side has already tasted victory, notably an impressive win against the defending champions Nam Định.

Both HAGL and SLNA are facing difficulties at this stage and are considered among the teams likely to fight to avoid relegation. Their problems stem from different causes. HAGL’s style mainly relies on their defense. They consistently adopt a “concrete wall” strategy at home to minimize opponents’ attacks. From their matches so far, the club has barely scored any goals. Currently, they are the only team in the V-League without a single goal.

HAGL is now a young, somewhat disjointed squad lacking vitality. The elegant HAGL of the past, featuring players like Công Phượng, Văn Toàn, and Tuấn Anh, has been replaced by a rougher, more rugged team. Given their current circumstances, it’s hard for HAGL to aim high. The Pleiku-based club lost three key midfielders this summer: Trần Minh Vương, Châu Ngọc Quang, and Dụng Quang Nho. These are not only familiar names to Mountain Town fans but also national team players who have carried the team through many challenges.

Without changes in both personnel and tactics, HAGL could soon find themselves in a relegation battle this season—an all-too-familiar scenario for the Mountain Town team in recent years. The main issue HAGL must address is their attack; if not improved, they will remain top candidates for relegation at the end of the season.

In the increasingly fierce and competitive V-League, with a patchwork squad of foreign players and young U23 talents, the Mountain Town team cannot expect immediate breakthroughs. What they need now is time to develop and gain experience for their young players, while hoping for standout performances from their foreign recruits to make a difference.

Meanwhile, SLNA is pursuing an attacking style this season. This explains the high number of goals in their matches. They score well but also concede frequently, often nullifying the efforts of their offense.

Entering this round, SLNA parted ways with coach Phan Như Thuật after a string of disappointing results. A 2-3 home loss to Công an TP Hồ Chí Minh led to a mid-season coaching change. The replacement is not new—coach Nguyễn Huy Hoàng has returned in a familiar "firefighter" role. He was previously dismissed during his last tenure for failing to improve the team’s performance.

Interim coach Nguyễn Huy Hoàng is regarded as someone deeply knowledgeable about local football. The away match at Pleiku is seen as a chance for this young strategist to prove his growth as a coach. A win would not only relieve SLNA’s pressure but also restore confidence in his comeback. However, facing a home team desperate for their first V-League win this season, the Nghệ An side will encounter significant challenges.

Recently, under coach Lê Quang Trãi, HAGL has shown signs of improvement. In their last 3 matches, they drew twice (against Hà Nội FC and PVF CAND) and narrowly lost to Công an TP Hồ Chí Minh, all away games. Returning to their home ground Pleiku, they can realistically aim for 3 points against an opponent like SLNA, who is currently considered a manageable challenge.

The match between HAGL and SLNA will take place at 5 PM on October 3rd at Pleiku Stadium.

Expected starting lineups for both teams

HAGL: Trung Kiên, Quang Kiệt, Jairo, Du Học, Văn Triệu, Thành Nhân, Minh Tâm, Silva Marciel, Đình Lâm, Vĩnh Nguyên, Ryan Hà

SLNA: Văn Bình, Văn Huy, Nam Hải, Văn Khánh, Văn Cường, Văn Lương, Quang Vinh, Khắc Ngọc, Carlos Enrique, Bá Quyền, Olaha