Foreign player shines, Coach Van Sy Son expresses desire to retain him

Coach Van Sy Son expressed his wish to keep Michel Olaha after the striker scored the only goal to help SLNA defeat Ha Tinh, providing a crucial boost in the relegation battle.

The victory on the evening of February 28th at Ha Tinh's stadium not only brought 3 crucial points for SLNA but also highlighted the role of a familiar name, Michel Olaha. The striker's sole goal helped the Nghe team overcome their opponent with a 1-0 score in round 14 of V-League 2025/26, temporarily climbing to 8th place with 16 points. In the tense context of the lower-table race, every victory carries strategic significance.

Speaking after the match, Coach Van Sy Son could not hide his satisfaction with his player's performance, especially Michel Olaha – who has been associated with Vinh stadium for many years. The Nghe-based tactician praised the striker's professionalism and consistency throughout his long tenure with SLNA.

"His efforts deserve recognition. I hope the provincial leadership and sponsors continue to trust and create conditions for Olaha to stay with the team long-term", Son shared. This public request reveals the coaching staff's clear desire to keep a crucial pillar, especially as Olaha has maintained consistent form over many seasons.

According to Coach Van Sy Son, given the class and stability he has shown, Michel Olaha could easily attract interest from bigger clubs. However, he emphasized that to build a sustainably developing team, SLNA needs to retain experienced players as a foundation for both the technical and mental aspects of the squad.

Assessing the match, the SLNA captain stated that the victory over Ha Tinh was a crucial psychological boost. He acknowledged the team's focused spirit, tactical discipline, and high determination throughout the 90 minutes. Nevertheless, the coach remained cautious about the road ahead.

"The most important thing is for the players to keep their feet on the ground and continue striving in every match", he said. After 14 rounds, the season still has 12 matches left and the overall situation remains undecided. In the next round, SLNA will return home to host Hai Phong, an experienced opponent. Coach Van Sy Son affirmed the team will prepare thoroughly and show maximum respect for the opponent to maintain their upward momentum in the standings.