HA NOI — Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) have set their sights on one thing for the new season… survival.

Although they finished fourth in the national premiere league last year, the club lost the several key players including midfielders Que Ngoc Hai, Pham Manh Hung and Ngo Xuan Toan.

Coach Nguyen Duc Thang is being realistic and setting a modest target this time around.

Hai was captain of the national team competing in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 in which Viet Nam won the Cup after 10 years. He moved to Viettel FC, who won the National First Division Tournament and were promoted to V.League 1.

“Our strength is affected significantly due to losing key players,” said coach Thang.

“Hai’s departure has left a hole in our defence, but such is football. Rich teams will recruit good players and poor teams will have to say good bye to their stars.

“SLNA lost many important footballers such as Ngo Hoang Thinh, Nguyen Trong Hoang, Hoang Van Binh and Tran Phi Son in the last season but we didn’t lose the club’s character.

“We have young players from the youth set up. They are skillful enough to replace the veterans,” Thang added.

Without key players, SLNA called on veterans including Tran Dinh Dong, Binh and Nguyen Quang Tinh to help the youngsters in the team.

“I want to build a strong SLNA based on a united collective way of playing, not based on any stars,” said Thang.

“Our first target is to stay in the national top flight and then we think of the higher goal. As a coach, I always want my team to gain the best result and win. But our ability and finances are limited,” said Thang.

“For defending champions Ha Noi FC, they have a very good force but they don’t dare to say they will be champions again,” Thang added.

“In this race, no team wants to be in the low rankings so I will take it one step at a time. I will train my players to have spirit and desire. I hope my team will be together. This will make our rivals worried,” said Thang.

SLNA will take on former champions Quang Nam today at Tam Ky Stadium.

Meanwhile, Hoang Anh Gia Lai are ready to face Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN at Nha Trang Stadium today.

The mountainous football team are without Luong Xuan Truong and Nguyen Cong Phuong who have both left on-loan.

The club hopes midfielders Nguyen Tuan Anh, Tran Minh Vuong, Nguyen Phong Hong Duy and striker Nguyen Van Toan will step up for the upcoming league season.

In the last season, HAGL only finished 10th with 31 points. In the National Cup, HAGL were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere, Ha Noi FC take on Quang Ninh Coal, SHB Da Nang meet Viettel, Nam Dinh play with Sai Gon and HCM City face Hai Phong. — VNS