Two Vietnamese players fined for red cards in Asian Cup

Referee gives a second yellow card to Khuat Van Khang (on the ground) in the Vietnam-Iraq game in Asian Cup on Jan. 24, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

Long came on as a substitution in the game between Vietnam and Indonesia. He received two yellow cards in the 83rd and 90th minute. The game ended with a 1-0 defeat for Vietnam, eliminating them from the tournament.

In the last game of the group stage in which Vietnam played Iran, Khang also got sent off after receiving two yellow cards. Late in the first half, Khang, in an aerial duel with an Iraq defender, put his knee into the opponent’s back. That was his second yellow card after being booked in the sixth minute for diving.

AFC told Long and Khang to each pay a fine of $2,000 for the red cards within 30 days after the announcement on March 30.

Long and Khang were already suspended for one match. Long sat out the game with Iraq while Khang was unavailable during the World Cup qualifier clash with Indonesia on March 21.

AFC also noticed that the punishment will be larger if they repeat this in the future.

Another player who was also fined in the Asian Cup this year is Iraq’s Aymen Hussein. He received a red card for inappropriate celebration after scoring against Jordan in the round of 16. That red card put Iraq in a difficult situation and they had to play with 10 men before losing 2-3. Hussein paid a fine of $2,000 and was suspended for two matches.