CNN Indonesia
Saturday, 27 Apr 2024 08:20 IWST
Vietnam’s Nguyen Manh Hung received a red card against Iraq. (AFP/KARIM JAAFAR)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Vietnam U-23 national team coach Hoang Anh Tuan could only surrender after being defeated by Iraq 0-1 at the Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Saturday (27/4) early morning WIB, and was eliminated from 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.
Hoang Anh Tuan said he was satisfied with Vietnam U-23’s performance even though they were eliminated in the quarter-finals. The 55-year-old coach only regretted that Vietnam lost through Iraq’s penalty goal scored by Ali Jasim in the 64th minute.
“First of all, I want to congratulate Iraq for getting a ticket to the semifinals. Vietnam’s journey in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup stops here.”
“I am very satisfied with what the team showed. It’s a shame that this match was decided by penalties. But that’s football. I want to congratulate the Iraqi team,” said Hoang Anh Tuan, quoted from Soha.
The referee awarded a penalty via VAR controversially after goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan’s foul on Nihad Muhammad Owaid. Initially the referee from South Korea, Ko Hyung Jin, did not give a penalty. But then changed his decision after seeing VAR.
In the replay, it was seen that Van Chuan’s hand slightly hit Nihad’s left shoulder before falling. The Vietnam goalkeeper and captain was also unlucky because Nihad’s first touch on the ball was too hard, so the ball would have gone out if Van Chuan hadn’t touched it.
Hoang Anh Tuan was reluctant to comment on the referee’s decision because it would not change any decisions. Vietnam remains eliminated from the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.
“As a head coach, I only focus on my skills and focus on the way the players play. I can’t say whether the penalty was right or wrong, because that’s the referee’s decision. The match is over. I don’t want to discuss penalties after the match,” he said.
“We watched this tournament and saw that the role of VAR was very prominent. We also saw that not only Vietnam, but also many top teams on the continent received red cards and penalties. For this tournament I think the rules are stricter. And I think VAR, the referee , and the rules also want better football,” added Hoang Anh Tuan.
Finally, Hoang Anh Tuan also did not blame Nguyen Manh Hung who received a red card for stepping on Ali Jasim’s foot in second half injury time.
“Speaking about the players, I have no complaints at all. In certain situations, they have to make decisions when they don’t have time or space. I don’t support his actions, but I sympathize with Manh Hung about the red card. After all, he is only 19 years old, ” he said.
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