29 Jun 2022 | 06:42 | Football
The Da Nang Dragons entered the 2022 VBA season with a number of personnel disruptions, when they no longer had To Quang Trung, Akeem Scott, who played well in the 2021 VBA Bubble. However, the Cantho Catfish even had many times difficulty getting to the yard. “Dragon of the Han River” on the evening of June 22 (Vietnam time).
Da Nang Dragons hold first game of VBA 2022 with welcome from Cantho Catfish
Not only did the team’s symbol, Tam Dinh, lose to the Hanoi Buffaloes, Cantho Catfish also said goodbye to Le Hieu Thanh, a player known as “the soul” in the western land. Despite the return of Sang Dinh and De’Angelo Hamilton, there’s no denying that Cantho Catfish is just a shadow of themselves compared to their 2018-2019 peak.
Additionally, Cantho Catfish has also been affected by a changing bridge over the past 2 years. In VBA 2022, “Barcelona Fish” ushered in a new style of Cuban head coach Leonardo Perez Amenteros. Despite their impressive record, Cantho Catfish will definitely need more time to get used to the 57-year-old captain’s new tactics.
With such uncertainty, it is difficult to balance the Cantho Catfish with the home team Danang Dragons. This team, known as the “Dragon of the Han River”, has been on the bench for the past four seasons, led by the only domestic coach, Mr. Pan Qingcheng.
Coach Phan Thanh Canh has been with the Da Nang Dragons for 4 seasons. Photo: Huy Pham
In addition, the Da Nang Dragons have retained some familiar pillars such as Nguyen Toan Anh (Michael Soy), Trieu Han Minh, Mai Phuoc Thinh. Although there are no longer veteran Du Guangzhong or talented player Ruan Huang Tuan, the Da Nang Dragons have more dazzling names such as Ruan Qiquan and Van Dejian in their internal strength.
As far as foreign soldiers go, it’s hard to assess the performance of a number one in the VBA like Edward Horton, Kenneth Sims (Danang Dragons) or Amory Bueno (Canto Catfish). D’Angelo Hamilton is a talent familiar to fans, but age may make it difficult for the forward to return to his peak form in 2018-2019.
However, the Da Nang Dragons still have a little advantage. They use 2 foreign soldiers of American nationality and have a variety of ways to play. On the Cantho Catfish side, they have a Cuban national player, Amaury Bueno. However, the level of players in this country is hardly comparable to that of the United States, the world’s largest player exporter.
Cantho Catfish welcomes ‘new wind’ with foreign soldiers from Cuba
Danang Dragons had too many advantages against Cantho Catfish. After a lapse of three years, the 5th Gymnasium of the Military Region is very likely to welcome the return of the “Hanjiang Dragon” with a triumphant attitude.
