The new SLNA coach admits luck in drawing with HAGL

Coach Huy Hoàng admitted that luck was on their side in holding HAGL to a 1-1 draw in the 6th round of the 2025/26 V-League.

In the "water battle" match at Pleiku Stadium on the evening of October 3rd, SLNA was lucky to keep a point despite conceding a penalty in the final minutes. After the match, Huy Hoàng – the new head coach of the Nghệ An team – shared:

"Yesterday, when training at Pleiku, the weather was nice, so we were very confident. However, today it rained, and the waterlogged pitch greatly affected both teams' ability to execute their game plans, not just SLNA. This made it impossible for us to organize our play effectively.

In such wet conditions, the team that capitalizes on scoring chances will win. HAGL missed the penalty at the end, and luck favored us,"the 43-year-old strategist admitted.

In this match, SLNA started better but conceded an early goal. It was not until the second half, when they pushed forward, that Michael Olaha scored the equalizer for the visitors. Assessing the overall gameplay, Coach Nguyễn Huy Hoàng noted that SLNA needs to improve their defense, especially in organizing blocks in their own half: "The club management assigned us as the coaching staff, possibly temporarily while searching for a new head coach. We don't focus on that; what matters most is fulfilling our duties well."

One point at Pleiku is acceptable for the Nghệ An team. After 6 rounds, they have 5 points and stand 10th, temporarily out of the "danger zone" on the leaderboard.

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