Having secured their place in the league, what are HAGL's plans for next season?

HAGL has officially secured their place in the V-League. However, the story for next season is what's truly noteworthy for the team. Several key players have been considering leaving HAGL.

The 1-5 defeat of Binh Dinh against Hanoi Police FC on June 3rd (a rescheduled match from Round 20 of the V-League 2024-2025) helped HAGL secure their survival in the league. The team from Pleiku currently has 28 points, 7 points clear of the play-off spot, with only two rounds remaining. HAGL's path to survival in the 2024-2025 season was far from smooth. The team, led by Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh, struggled at times. Opponents figured out their tactics, and the players themselves lost confidence. It wasn't until the end of the season, when pushed to the brink, that the entire HAGL team rallied and escaped relegation. It should also be noted that the inconsistency of many rivals like Binh Dinh, Da Nang, Quang Nam, and Ho Chi Minh City FC towards the end of the season also contributed to HAGL's safe finish, rather than the team's exceptional performance in the final stages.

Tran Minh Vuong (left) will leave HAGL after the 2024-2025 season.

PHOTO: MINH TRAN

HAGL's escape from relegation was significantly marked by the contributions of midfielder Minh Vương. He is a top-class player in Vietnamese football, one of the few remaining at HAGL after Công Phượng, Tuấn Anh, Xuân Trường, Hồng Duy, Văn Thanh, Văn Toàn, and others left.

Unfortunately, Minh Vương will leave HAGL after the current season. This raises the question of finding a replacement for the Pleiku-based team. Furthermore, without Minh Vương in the squad, it's highly likely that HAGL's playing style will change compared to what fans have known about the team over the past few years.

Since the generation of players like Tuan Anh, Xuan Truong, Cong Phuong, Van Toan, Minh Vuong… appeared at HAGL in the V-League, Chairman Duc's team has become famous for playing the most beautiful and captivating football in the country.

Over the past few years, HAGL has consistently focused on ball control, using short passes to penetrate opponents' defenses. This style of play has proven highly effective under coach Kiatisak. HAGL nearly won the V-League in 2021, if the season hadn't been prematurely cancelled due to the impact of Covid-19.

What strategy does HAGL need?

Next season, HAGL's new generation will mainly excel in defensive positions such as goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, center-backs Pham Ly Duc and Dinh Quang Kiet, and wing-back Dung Quang Nho. These players are highly regarded for their physique, tackling ability, and man-marking skills, but they are not masters of technique like Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, or Minh Vuong.

The style of play depends on the players. The team's personnel will largely determine how HAGL plays. Without the technical skills and talented attacking stars up front, HAGL is unlikely to play as attractively as before. Possessing players strong in physique, stamina, and tackling ability, HAGL will likely play a more defensive style, primarily relying on counter-attacks in the upcoming season.

And often, a team that plays defensively isn't capable of competing for major titles. If HAGL wants to reach greater heights, they need to invest heavily in the transfer market to recruit renowned attacking stars.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tru-hang-roi-hagl-tinh-sao-cho-mua-sau-185250606211945189.htm