Thanh Hoa FC is running out of steam, if HAGL doesn't win now... when will they?

Thanh Hoa FC - a suitable opponent for HAGL.

HAGL dropped to 10th place after a 0-1 defeat away to Ho Chi Minh City FC. In their last 14 matches, coach Le Quang Trai's team has only won 2. Their declining form, coupled with a thin and weak squad, means the team from the mountainous region can no longer maintain their early-season momentum. If they fail to win in round 16, HAGL will be dragged into a tough relegation battle, where rivals like Da Nang, SLNA, Binh Dinh, and Quang Nam are waiting.

However, HAGL has an advantage in round 16 as their technical director, Vu Tien Thanh, and his players will face Thanh Hoa FC, which is also currently struggling.

HAGL (in blue) is regressing.

On the evening of March 4th, Thanh Hoa FC lost 0-1 to Hai Phong at home in the round of 16 of the National Cup, thus losing their title as defending champions. In just one month, coach Velizar Popov's team has been eliminated from two competitions (the Southeast Asian Champions League and the National Cup), leaving them with only the V-League to strive for.

Thanh Hoa FC once led the V-League, but incredibly, Nguyen Thai Son and his teammates have gone nearly four months without a win. The last time the Thanh Hoa team secured three points (in all competitions) was against Da Nang FC in the V-League on November 20, 2024, when Thanh Hoa defeated Da Nang 1-0.

Since then, Thanh Hoa FC has gone 10 matches without a win in all competitions (7 draws, 3 losses), resulting in elimination from 2 out of 3 tournaments they participated in. In the V-League, Thanh Hoa FC, once leading the league, has now fallen to third place, and could even drop to fifth if they don't win this round.

Actually, it's hard to blame Coach Popov. The strength of Thanh Hoa FC... is simply limited. Compared to last season, the team from Thanh Hoa has weakened further, especially with striker Rimario Gordon's injury. The core of the Thanh Hoa squad has long consisted largely of mid-level or young players. Coach Popov and his team have won three titles in the past two years, primarily due to their cohesive playing style, team spirit, and impressive ability to read the game and develop the players' potential, thanks to the Bulgarian strategist's skill.

Thanh Hoa FC (in yellow jerseys) are dethroned as champions of the National Cup.

However, you need the ingredients to make the dish. Coach Popov can't keep making do with what he has, having already used up all the best players from Thanh Hoa. This season, the Thanh Hoa team also faces a packed schedule, having to play an additional 5 matches in the Southeast Asian Champions League, along with 1 match in the National Super Cup final (23 matches since the start of the season).

The schedule of two matches per week has made it impossible for Thanh Hoa FC to maintain the physically demanding, constantly running style of play that Coach Popov had envisioned. In recent matches, Doan Ngoc Tan and his teammates have had to run themselves ragged to play defensive counter-attacking football, only able to wait for opponents to make mistakes, instead of playing fast and aggressively like last season.

Will HAGL seize the opportunity?

Limited squad resources caused Thanh Hoa FC to struggle in the second half of the 2023 and 2023-2024 V-League seasons, despite playing well in the first half. The risk of this happening again this season, as the team's disappointing run continues.

Against an opponent who hadn't won in 10 matches, HAGL had a good chance to secure three points. In the first leg, HAGL played well and led the entire match, before a moment of carelessness in the final minutes allowed the team from Pleiku to concede an equalizer.

Will Mr. Vu Tien Thanh help HAGL overcome difficulties?

HAGL has declined, with inconsistent performance over the past 3 or 4 months. HAGL's problems are no different from Thanh Hoa's. With only average players, it's difficult to expect them to play better. The team from the mountain town has to resort to defensive counter-attacking football, waiting for opponents to make mistakes, instead of imposing their style of play to secure victories.

The match between Thanh Hoa and HAGL on March 9th in round 16 will be a contest where the team that makes fewer mistakes will win. HAGL has the advantage in terms of physical fitness. While the team from the mountainous region had a full week of rest, Thanh Hoa just played in the National Cup midweek.

Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh himself has a special connection with Thanh Hoa Stadium. When he was coaching Ho Chi Minh City FC, he and his players won 2-1 in the second leg against Thanh Hoa away from home, thus taking a big step forward in the relegation battle. Last season, despite being in crisis, Vu Tien Thanh's HAGL also won 2-1 at Thanh Hoa Stadium in the second leg to escape the bottom of the table.

If that luck returns, HAGL will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/clb-thanh-hoa-duoi-suc-hagl-khong-thang-bay-gio-thi-cho-den-bao-gio-185250305111749604.htm