Vietnam-Japan clash to see VAR make Asian Cup debut

By Hoai Anh    January 23, 2019 | 09:10 pm PT
Vietnam-Japan clash to see VAR make Asian Cup debut
Referee checks VAR in a match of La Liga Santander. Photo by Reuters/Javier Barbancho
Video Assistant Referees will make their Asian Cup debut in the quarterfinal match between Vietnam and Japan Thursday.

It will also be the first time Vietnam play in a game with VAR whereas Japan are familiar with it after playing four matches in last year’s World Cup in Russia, where it was used for the first time.

An Asian Football Confederation (AFC) official came to the hotel where the Vietnamese players are staying to explain how the VAR system works.

According to Asian Cup rules, it can be used to review situations that lead to a goal, a penalty or a red card. Only the referee will have the authority to call for a video review, and players and coaches are not allowed to put pressure on the referee.

There will be a control room where four assistant referees will review footage from many on-field cameras and make and communicate their decision to the referee through the earpiece. On-field referees can themselves review the footage on a screen near the sideline.

At the World Cup the VAR had proved its use by minimizing controversial decisions. Many major leagues like Spain’s La Liga and Germany’s Bundesliga began to use it last year.

The match between Vietnam and Japan kicks off at 8 p.m. Vietnam time Thursday.

 
 
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