Hanoi FC is strong, but don't forget HAGL has this important weapon!

HAGL and the story of Pleiku 'easy to go but hard to return'

The first leg of the V-League ended with HAGL following a... elephant head and mouse tail scenario. Coach Le Quang Trai and his team were undefeated throughout the first 5 rounds (won 2, drew 3), once reigning at the top of the V-League. The new wind from young, dynamic players and defensive counter-attack tactics have transformed the mountain town team from struggling to avoid relegation to becoming a team that is hard to beat.

However, the happy days quickly passed. HAGL's defensive style of play was gradually "read" by the opponent. When explosive players like Marciel da Silva, Chau Ngoc Quang... were tightly guarded, the team of technical director (GĐKT) Vu Tien Thanh became less innovative. Failures also appeared more frequently, bringing HAGL back to its original position.

Tran Minh Vuong and his teammates only won 8 points in the last 8 matches, with a winning rate of 25% (only equal to lower-ranked teams like Hai Phong, Quang Nam and worse than SLNA).

Will HAGL take all 3 points against Hanoi FC like the first leg?

This is still just an average team, and needs to prioritize staying in the league first, as the ability to compete for a higher position is unclear. Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh has changed the face of HAGL thanks to a new physical training program (increasing endurance and collision ability) along with a more aggressive and strict playing philosophy. However, the reform at HAGL cannot be successful with just these differences. They lack good players to transform after only a few months.

But, football is not about the strong winning and the weak losing. If that were the case, HAGL would not have defeated both Hanoi Police Club (CAHN Club) and Hanoi Club in the first leg of V-League. Even when weaker, HAGL still had loopholes to sneak in and seek victory.

In the match taking place at 5pm today (February 21), HAGL's first advantage is their home ground in Pleiku, where Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh has decided to turn it into an "arena" where it is easy to go but difficult to return for away teams. HAGL has been unbeaten in 6 home matches in the first leg (won 2, drew 4), despite having to face many strong teams such as CAHN Club, Nam Dinh or Thanh Hoa.

Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh has any other tricks up his sleeve to surprise Hanoi FC?

Looking at the big picture, HAGL has only lost 1 of their last 17 home games in the V-League and the National Cup. It is not easy to win in Pleiku for two reasons. The altitude and thin air here are physical obstacles for any away team. At the same time, the size and space of Pleiku Stadium also give HAGL a sense of safety and familiarity. The stands close to the field become the support for the counter-attacking style with a narrow formation that Mr. Vu Tien Thanh has worked hard to build.

The test of strength

For a team that prioritizes tight defense like HAGL, the opening goal is always the key to victory. In all 4 wins in the first leg, HAGL took the lead, then deployed a scientific siege strategy to secure the victory.

The opening goal will be the key in the match at Pleiku Stadium. If HAGL scores first, Hanoi FC will have to face a "concrete block" in the mountain town. Since the beginning of the tournament, the capital's representative has always had difficulty against deep-lying defenses. With Marciel da Silva and Washington Brandao in attack, HAGL is ready to punish their opponents. The mountain town team does not need to play better, they just need to know how to punish their opponents with a lightning "sword strike" like in the first leg.

On the opposite side, new coach Makoto Teguramori and new foreign players promise to help Hanoi FC transform, but all changes take time.

Hanoi FC will try to find the lead to force HAGL into an offensive position, which is the team's weakness. In the last 5 matches where they conceded the first goal, HAGL drew 2 and lost 3. There is almost no chance of turning the game around if HAGL is behind.

The match in Pleiku this afternoon will be calculated and tight, as both teams do not want to start the return leg with a defeat. Hanoi FC is stronger, but at the "Pleiku arena", HAGL is ready to open the party to put pressure on the top 5.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/clb-ha-noi-manh-nhung-dung-quen-hagl-co-vu-khi-quan-trong-nay-185250221001156017.htm