Referee decisions against Vietnam in Iraq defeat correct: ref supervisor

Malaysian referee Nazmi Nasaruddin cancels Vietnam's goal against Iraq after VAR review during Asian Cup match on Jan. 24, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

In the 17th minute of the Asian Cup group stage game at Jassim Bin Hamad, defender Vo Minh Trong made a cross inside Iraq's box and defender Zaid Tahseen in a clearance attempt scored an own goal. Vietnam players celebrated and the main referee Bin Nasaruddin also recognized the goal.

However, Chinese VAR referee Fu Ming told Nasaruddin to watch the replay. The Malaysian referee then canceled Vietnam's goal as midfielder Khuat Van Khang was offside.

Doan Phu Tan, former Vietnam Football Federation deputy head referee, has come out as saying the call was correct in the 2-3 loss, as were other of the match's game-changing decisions.

"The referee was right when he didn’t recognize Vietnam’s goal," Tan said. "In this play, Van Khang was in an offside position and his movement affected Iraq defender’s action so it was considered a foul."

 

 

Referee decisions against Vietnam in Iraq defeat correct: ref supervisor

Việt Nam bị hủy bàn vì VAR

In the fourth minute of injury time in the first half, Van Khang took a jump for an aerial duel with Merchas Doski. While jumping up, his knee hit Doski’s back and the two fell down in pain. Referee Nasaruddin immediately have Khang a yellow card and sent him off. Before that, Khang had also received a yellow in the sixth minute for diving.

"The referee was right on both yellow cards for Van Khang," Tan said. "The first yellow was for diving and the second for a dangerous foul. The Iraq player had stopped, but Khang kept going for contact and got his knee up, which was reckless, so that deserved a yellow."

Former Vietnam national player Pham Nhu Thuan said: "Van Khang was too passionate, and contact like that caused danger for the opponent.

"Although Khang was also in pain when he fell, it’s still his foul and he got booked for playing dangerously."

 

 

Referee decisions against Vietnam in Iraq defeat correct: ref supervisor

Khuất Văn Khang bị đuổi khỏi sân

In the 83rd minute, defender Bui Hoang Viet Anh mistimed his tackle and hit the ankle of Yossef Amyn. Referee Nasaruddin did nott see the foul but VAR interfered.

After watching the replay, he gave Iraq a penalty and Viet Anh a yellow. On the spot, striker Aymen Hussein tricked goalkeeper Filip Nguyen to fly the other direction, but his shot hit the post.

Referee Bin Nasaruddin gives Khuat Van Khang (lying) his second yellow card. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

After Iraq couldn’t convert the penalty, Vietnam equalized 2-2 in the first minute of injury time in the second half. However, in the ninth minute of injury time, Trong tackled an Iraq player inside the box. Referee Nasaruddin could see it clearly this time and he gave Iraq another penalty. Hussein did not miss this time and scored to secure the 3-2 win.

Tan said the referees’ decisions were right and there’s no need for further debate.

 

 

Referee decisions against Vietnam in Iraq defeat correct: ref supervisor

Iraq 3-2 Việt Nam