Vietnam coach disgruntled with referee's calls in Oman defeat

By Lam Thoa   October 12, 2021 | 08:19 pm PT
Vietnam coach disgruntled with referee's calls in Oman defeat
Coach Park Hang-seo during the post-match press conference of the World Cup qualifiers game between Oman and Vietnam on October 12, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Doan Huynh
Park Hang-seo was dissatisfied with several decisions of the referee in the 1-3 loss of Vietnam against Oman on Tuesday night.

"Four games have passed and I had many things to say about the referee work. In this game, the referee was inconsistent," Park said in the post-match press conference on Tuesday.

In the game with Oman, Vietnam faced several disadvantages from the decisions of Jordanian ref Adham Makhadmeh and the VAR technology. Nguyen Quang Hai was taken down inside the box in the 25th minute, but the ref didn’t review for a possible penalty. On the contrary, every situation that can benefit Oman was checked carefully on VAR, including two penalties awarded to them.

Nguyen Quang Hai is taken down inside the box in Vietnam vs Oman World Cup qualifiers clash, October 12, 2021.

Although being considered the weaker team, Vietnam scored first. In the 39th minute, Ho Tan Tai took a shot that forced Oman keeper Faiyz Al Rashidi to punch a ball out and Nguyen Tien Linh was in the right place to tap it in. It took the referee five minutes to check if the goal is valid or not. Before that, Oman were given a penalty in the 14th minute after Ho Tan Tai accidentally hit his hands on Ali Al-Busaidi’s face inside the box, but Moshin Al-Khaldi took the penalty over the bar.

Only minutes later, Oman found the equalizer with a volley from Issam Al Sabhi. Four minutes into the second half, they got another goal. In a corner, many Oman players were surrounding keeper Nguyen Van Toan, which made him unable to move, while Al-Khaldi took the corner straight into the net. After that, Vietnam players said Toan was fouled, but the referee still gave the goal to Oman.

Another penalty was given to Oman in the 63rd minute and this time Do Duy Manh unintentionally hit the face of Jameel Yahmadi with his hand after a clearance. The referee didn’t make a call but VAR said it was a penalty and this time, Salaah Al-Yahyaei scored. The game ended with a 3-1 victory for Oman.

"The atmosphere after the game was quiet. Perhaps the players were dissatisfied with the referee. I told them that nobody wants to lose and we still have many games ahead, including the clash with Japan and Saudi Arabia in November," Park said.

After four consecutive defeats, Vietnam are staying at the bottom of group B.

"This is the first time that Vietnam made it to the final round of World Cup qualifiers. Not just the fans but I also expected some good results. But to be honest, we need more time to improve," Park said.

World Cup qualifiers: Oman 3-1 Vietnam

 
 
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