Vietnam team received red card because of VAR and because… there was no VAR

Facing the host team Korea (ranked 26th in the world ) with a completely superior level, the Vietnamese team (ranked 95th) could not resist and had to accept a heavy defeat of 0-6. The last match of this October FIFA Days was also an unforgettable memory for central defender Bui Hoang Viet Anh. It was unforgettable because the player currently playing for Hanoi FC had the opportunity to face top strikers such as Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in... and even more unforgettable when the central defender born in 1999 was unjustly disqualified.

In the 61st minute, after a foul near the penalty area and letting the ball fall to Son Heung-min's feet, Viet Anh was forced to tackle to avoid conceding a goal. The Tottenham striker fell and the referee immediately blew the whistle and gave the Vietnamese midfielder a yellow card. Previously, in the first half, Viet Anh had received a yellow card and had to leave the field. Slow motion showed that Viet Anh had tackled the ball. Son Heung-min collided with the defender's foot and fell. However, because the match did not use VAR technology, the referee did not change his decision.

Đội tuyển Việt Nam nhận thẻ đỏ vì có VAR và vì… không có VAR - Ảnh 1. — Viet Anh (in white shirt) cleared the ball accurately before Son Heung-min tripped, but the referee did not have a favorable viewing angle.

In the first match of the FIFA Days in October against the Chinese team, the Vietnamese team also received a red card, from striker Nguyen Tien Linh. But in complete contrast to the case of Viet Anh, Tien Linh was sent off because of... VAR intervention. At the end of the second half, the Binh Duong club striker made a fierce tackle, causing the home team's defender to get angry. Initially, the referee showed a yellow card to warn the striker born in 1997. However, after listening to advice from the VAR room, the main referee decided to review the slow-motion replay. After leaving the field to consult the VAR screen, the main referee erased the yellow card and showed Tien Linh a direct red card. Also because of this red card, the 26-year-old striker was suspended and could not play in the match against the Korean team.

Returning to the Vietnam team, coach Troussier and his team played 3 matches (2 official friendlies) and conceded a total of 10 goals. The FIFA Days in October helped the Vietnam team gain more experience and know where they are, before officially entering the journey to conquer the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia.