Whistleblower Mai Xuan Hung replaces senior Tran Dinh Thinh to blow the whistle for the National Super Cup match.

According to the original plan, referee Tran Dinh Thinh will officiate at the National Super Cup match in a few days at Thien Truong Stadium.

Super Cup duties are only given to reputable referees

It is expected that the National Super Cup Organizing Committee will observe a minute of silence for referee Tran Dinh Thinh before the match on Thien Truong Stadium on August 9, to commemorate the person who has silently contributed to Vietnamese football for many years.

It is expected that referee Mai Xuan Hung - who was recently honored as the Bronze Whistle of Vietnam at the V-League 2024-2025 - will replace referee Tran Dinh Thinh to officiate the National Super Cup match between CAHN Club and Nam Dinh Club. The sudden passing of the Silver Whistle of Vietnam Tran Dinh Thinh has shocked and saddened the entire football world, and now, the young colleague will follow in his senior's footsteps in a prestigious match.

VFF and VPF Company coordinated with the family to organize a complete and ceremonial funeral, in lieu of gratitude for the silent but profound contributions of referee Tran Dinh Thinh to Vietnamese football. The funeral of referee Tran Dinh Thinh was held at 9:00 a.m. on August 5 (June 12 of the lunar calendar). After that, the funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on August 7, 2025 (June 15 of the lunar calendar). After the funeral, referee Tran Dinh Thinh's coffin will be buried at Phap Quang Pagoda Cemetery ( Dong Nai ).

Photo: LL

Colleagues will travel from North to South to see off referee Tran Dinh Thinh.

Funeral arrangements are underway at referee Tran Dinh Thinh's hometown on the morning of August 6.

Vietnam's silver whistle Tran Dinh Thinh has passed away...

Referee Tran Dinh Thinh (middle) has decades of experience working on all football fields in Vietnam.

PHOTO: KHA HOA

In the 2024-2025 season, if referee Tran Dinh Thinh is awarded the "Silver Whistle" title, his junior Mai Xuan Hung will be the one to win the "Bronze Whistle". Now that the older brother is no longer here, his younger colleague will continue to stand on the field to continue what Mr. Thinh left unfinished.

Referee Mai Xuan Hung will officiate at the National Super Cup.

The match between CAHN Club and Nam Dinh Club will take place at 6pm on August 9 at Thien Truong Stadium - known as the "fire pan" of Vietnamese football thanks to the passionate love of local audiences.

CAHN FC entered the match with impressive records: winning the 2024-2025 National Cup after a 5-0 victory over SLNA, finishing 3rd in the V-League and winning the runner-up position in the ASEAN Club Championship after only losing to Buriram United (Thailand) in the dramatic final. Meanwhile, Nam Dinh FC has just had a brilliant V-League season with a well-deserved second consecutive championship, demonstrating the stability and sharp play under coach Vu Hong Viet.

CAHN Club had an impressive debut in the international arena.

Although playing at home and easily defeating Thanh Hoa FC to win the National Super Cup last season, this time Nam Dinh FC will face a real challenge when facing a CAHN FC with a squad of quality domestic, foreign and overseas Vietnamese players. It is likely that the team from Thanh Nam will have to play defensive counter-attacks, instead of imposing their usual fast-paced style of play. This will be a test of the endurance and mettle of the V-League champions.

Meanwhile, Nam Dinh Club shows its superior strength in V-League.

PHOTO: Dong Nghi

The National Super Cup is not only the first championship match of the season, but also an opportunity to pay tribute to an honest referee who has just passed away - whose image will still linger on every step of his successor.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/coi-dong-mai-xuan-hung-thay-dan-anh-tran-dinh-thinh-thoi-tran-sieu-cup-quoc-gia-185250806083947639.htm