Big changes from the "top"
In 2015, the generation of “fighting cocks” who thrilled fans in the U19 Vietnam jersey were promoted to the main squad of Hoang Anh Gia Lai by Mr. Duc (Chairman Doan Nguyen Duc). Young faces in their teens and twenties such as Cong Phuong, Xuan Truong, Tuan Anh, Van Toan, Van Thanh, Hong Duy, Dong Trieu… unexpectedly became the leaders of a team over 10 years old in the V.League.
That forced ripening process has caused Hoang Anh Gia Lai to struggle with relegation for many seasons. In the midst of this crisis, Mr. Duc put forward the view: “Playing beautifully, losing is also fun” - as if to free the young players’ psychology.
Nine years after that inappropriate change, Hoang Anh Gia Lai invited Mr. Vu Tien Thanh to join the coaching staff. Having had a "good hand" in helping Saigon FC win 3rd place in V.League 2020 by organizing the most solid defense in the tournament, Mr. Vu Tien Thanh copied that formula to create a turning point change in philosophy and playing style for Hoang Anh Gia Lai.
Instead of emphasizing attack and accepting risks in the results, the mountain town team under Mr. Thanh's leadership leans toward defense in order to score points and win.
Last year, when coach Kiatisak was still in charge, Hoang Anh Gia Lai was in a dangerous position at the bottom of the rankings. But in the end, after Mr. Vu Tien Thanh came to work, the Pleiku team finished in 6th place in the V.League 2023-2024. Remember, except for the 2021 tournament that was canceled due to the pandemic, in no season from 2015 to before 2023-2024, Hoang Anh Gia Lai could achieve such a high ranking.
Last season, Mr. Vu Tien Thanh emphasized: "My guiding principle is how to protect the goal first. Hoang Anh Gia Lai before I arrived did not defend well." And indeed, thanks to the "parking the bus" strategy, from a team that conceded 14 goals after the first 7 rounds (an average of 2 goals/match), the team from the mountain town only conceded 21 more goals in the following 19 rounds (an average of 1.1 goals/match).
Play practical football, should we?
Besides emphasizing defense, Hoang Anh Gia Lai this season is ready to play dirty and play extremely to protect the victory. In the match against Cong An Ha Noi, Hoang Anh Gia Lai had an early opening goal from Chau Ngoc Quang. And then, with different tactics, Minh Vuong and his teammates kept the score 1-0 before the match ended.
Debate broke out over Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s playing style. Coach Polking of Hanoi Police frankly criticized the opponent’s ugly playing style: “A match in which Hoang Anh Gia Lai was on the field for 20-25 minutes. I would never accept my players doing that. With that much time on the field, you should ask yourself what you did to the match. Congratulations to the opponent for 3 points, but I feel ashamed that you won in such a way.”
Following his teacher's words, goalkeeper Nguyen Filip's personal page also posted a sarcastic status: "Congratulations on Hoang Anh Gia Lai's victory in the first 25 minutes, the time when they actually played football."
It is true that Hoang Anh Gia Lai players constantly lie on the field and waste time. They also do not deny the fact that they play dirty and rough to ensure victory. As Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh said: "Hoang Anh Gia Lai is still a big football brand, they cannot worry about relegation every season, making fans worry until the end of the season."
The past 25 matches in 2024 have seen the team lose only 6 times, win 10 matches and draw 9 matches.Thanks to that, up to now, they are in the Top 3 leading V.League 2024-2025, instead of struggling at the bottom of the rankings like many previous seasons.
When having the core element of winning, choosing how to play is no longer important to Hoang Anh Gia Lai.As coach Park Hang-seo once contemplated: "Vietnamese people like winning football, not necessarily beautiful football".
