3 disadvantages of SLNA and more about...the distorted whistle!

First of all, it must be admitted that SLNA's 1-2 defeat to Quang Nam in round 8 of V.League 2020 did not surprise many people. Because before entering the match with the home team Tam Ky, there were many factors against Phan Van Duc and his teammates.

Referee team on duty in the Quang Nam - SLNA match. Photo: VPF

Firstly, SLNA did not have the guidance of "captain" Ngo Quang Truong, who had to return to Vinh for family reasons. Secondly, SLNA did not have the service of right-back Nguyen Sy Nam, a player who is in excellent form. Thirdly, SLNA had to play at Tam Ky Stadium and their mentality was affected after two consecutive losses to Ho Chi Minh City Club and Duoc Nam Ha Nam Dinh.

Indeed, the Quang Nam team started the game better, in the 6th minute, Nguyen Huy Hung put the home team ahead. Objectively, the 1-1 score in the first half was somewhat unfair to the team of new coach Dao Quang Hung.

The situation where Phan Van Duc was fouled by goalkeeper Pham Van Cuong. Photo: VPF

In the second half, the game was more balanced. Many times, Ho Tuan Tai and his teammates made Quang Nam football fans "stop their breath". Unfortunately, the main referee Nguyen Minh Thuan turned the efforts of the Nghe An team into "waste", with blatantly disadvantageous decisions. Ignoring the foul in the penalty area by goalkeeper Pham Van Cuong on Phan Van Duc (minute 59) and recognizing the goal that sealed the score 2 - 1 by Dang Huu Phuoc (minute 89) are two specific examples.

If referee Nguyen Minh Thuan had just made a fair decision to blow the whistle for goalkeeper Pham Van Cuong, SLNA would have been awarded a penalty and the game would have gone in a different direction. It's hard to believe that Mr. Nguyen Minh Thuan "waved his hand" as if nothing had happened!

Losing a match is not a terrible thing, but losing in this way is hard to accept. The way referee Nguyen Minh Thuan "killed" SLNA, one of the poorest teams in Vietnamese football today.