Tensions rose in the final minutes of Vietnam’s 1-0 win over hosts Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Tuesday. Coach Kim (L) received a yellow card, seemingly for protesting as stoppage time had gone over the announced five minutes and for allegedly obstructing Indonesian players preparing for a throw-in.
While the referee was talking to the Indonesia coaching staff, one of Kim's assistants placed additional water bottles in front of the Vietnam technical area, close to the sideline.
The bottles appeared to interfere with Robi Darwis, a specialist in long throw-ins, as he attempted to take a last-minute throw.
Seeing the water bottles, Indonesia assistant coach Damian Van Rensburg entered the technical area of Vietnam to throw them away.
Indonesia head coach Gerald Vanenburg (2nd, L) also protested to the referee but no further escalation occurred.
After that, Darwis was unable to deliver a long throw as intended. Instead, he passed the ball short to goalkeeper Muhammad Ardiansyah, who launched it forward, only for Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien to clear it. The final whistle followed shortly after.
Indonesian media criticized Kim’s behavior as “unsportsmanlike.” However, the 48-year-old South Korean coach dismissed the allegations.
“The weather was hot. We placed the bottles there so the players could hydrate easily. There was no other intention,” he said.
According to FIFA regulations, water bottles are allowed in the technical area to ensure player hydration. There are no rules specifying their placement in relation to throw-ins.
Kim celebrates Vietnam's ASEAN U23 victory, months after he led the national team to win the 2024 ASEAN Cup, defeating Thailand in the final.
Kim, who signed with the Vietnam Football Federation on May 6, 2024, has become the first coach in Vietnamese football history to win regional championships at both national and U23 levels in the same year.
Kim and the U23 team will aim for further success at the 2026 U23 Asian Cup qualifiers in September and the SEA Games 33 in December.
