Can a 'strange' player help coach Kim Sang-sik solve the defense problem?; Messi yells at the referee in the World Cup qualifiers

Can a "strange" player help coach Kim Sang-sik solve the defense problem?

There are only about 20 days left until the AFF Cup 2024 officially kicks off. At this time, football teams are actively preparing for the biggest men's football tournament in Southeast Asia.

Also in that cycle,Coach Kim Sang-sikalong with his colleagues are actively searching for new factors for the Vietnam team. At the same time, the Vietnam team's coaching board also closely monitors the faces who regularly "eat" the team to evaluate their performance and health status.

But as the 2024 AFF Cup approaches, coach Kim Sang-sik is still struggling with problems in the defense. Specifically, center-back Bui Hoang Viet Anh is still unable to play due to injury. Meanwhile, captain Que Ngoc Hai has not yet reached his best physical condition after injury.

After Binh Duong's 0-1 loss to Hanoi FC in round 8 of V-League 2024-2025, coach Hoang Anh Tuan frankly admitted that Que Ngoc Hai did not play up to expectations.

In the midst of such difficult times, coach Kim Sang-sik can completely consider the case of young central defender Pham Ly Duc. Although this is his first season playing in the V-League, the player born in 2003 is leaving a strong impression in the HAGL shirt.

Up to now, Ly Duc has played all 7 matches in V-League and contributed greatly to helping HAGL rank 4th on the rankings. He is a calm, intelligent central defender with impressive situational judgment.

With a height of 1m82 and good dribbling ability, Ly Duc often has the advantage in aerial or one-on-one situations. However, Mr. Duc's rising star has not abused that in past matches. Instead, he always keeps his distance from his opponents and waits for his teammates to support him or finds the right opportunity to compete for the ball safely.

Through these points, it can be seen that Ly Duc is a player with a modern and intelligent way of thinking. Therefore, coach Kim Sang-sik can completely consider giving him a chance to try his hand at the Vietnam national team in the upcoming training session.

VFF heavily punishes players who fight in First Division

The VFF Disciplinary Board has imposed a 4-match ban and a fine of VND20 million on Nguyen Xuan Nam (PVF-CAND) and Vu Van Son (Tre TP.HCM). These are the 2 players who fought in the hallway of Thong Nhat Stadium after the match in round 4 of the 2024/25 National First Division.

Van Son and Xuan Nam violated Clause 1, Article 39 of the VFF's Disciplinary Regulations: "Anyone who uses force, commits a serious foul or intentionally violates another person's body will be fined from 15,000,000 VND to 30,000,000 VND and suspended from playing or performing duties for 2-5 matches."

In addition, the VFF Disciplinary Board also imposed a 3-match suspension and a fine of 10 million VND on Mr. Mai Trung Hai - Head of the PVF-CAND Football Club. This person cursed and insulted the referee after the match ended. The image was recorded by the match supervisor. Article 40 of the VFF Disciplinary Regulations clearly states: "Anyone who insults the honor of another person by spitting, insulting, cursing, or insulting or by other uncultured actions, gestures, or words shall be fined from 10,000,000 VND to 25,000,000 VND and suspended from playing or serving from 03 to 06 matches".

Indonesia team lost to Japan

On the evening of November 15 (Hanoi time), Indonesia suffered a 0-4 defeat to Japan in the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia.

At home, Indonesia had a golden opportunity to open the scoring against Japan. In the 9th minute, the Japanese defense unexpectedly made a mistake. Ragnar Oratmangoen ran down to face the goalkeeper but could not score.

After escaping defeat, Japan quickly reorganized their squad and deployed an impressive possession-based style of play. In just five minutes, from 35 to 40, the "Blue Samurai" destroyed Indonesia's crowded defense with two short-touch combinations. Justin Hubner scored an own goal, bringing the opening goal to the visitors. Not long after, Takumi Minamino finished close range, doubling the gap after an assist from Kaoru Mitoma.

In the second half, when coach Shin's calculations had not yet taken effect, Indonesia's most in-form star made a mistake. In the 49th minute, goalkeeper Maarten Paes passed the ball straight to Hidemasa Morita's feet. The Sporting Lisbon player handled the ball calmly and then shot diagonally, raising the score to 3-0.

After having a safe advantage, Japan took the initiative to play slowly. At this time, Indonesia had a chance to attack. However, the home team's efforts did not bring results. Pratama Arhan was also sent on the field, but his throw-in attack was easily neutralized by the Japanese defense.

Japan played with full initiative and only needed their second shot on target in the second half to seal a 4-0 victory. Yukinari Sugawara dribbled comfortably towards goal. He had plenty of time to adjust, before shooting from a tight angle, forcing Paes to pick the ball out of the net for the fourth time.

Ronaldo explodes, Portugal crushes Poland

The match between Portugal and Poland ended with a resounding 5-1 victory for the home team, in whichsuperstar Cristiano Ronaldoscored 3 goals.

Fielding their strongest squad in the hope of defeating Poland to secure top spot in the group, Portugal took the initiative to control the ball and organize attacks. However, facing the well-organized defense of the away team, Ronaldo and his teammates were unable to create any truly dangerous situations.

The knot was only untied in the 59th minute, when Nuno Mendes had a cross that Rafael Leao headed into the net of goalkeeper Marcin Bulka. After this goal that broke the psychological barrier, an explosive Portugal returned, the attacks were more coherent, the accuracy of the shots increased dramatically and had almost absolute accuracy.

In the 72nd minute, after Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior touched the ball with his hand in the penalty area, Ronaldo successfully converted the penalty to increase the score to 2-0, thereby ending a streak of 3 consecutive matches without scoring a goal for both Al-Nassr Club and the national team. In the 80th minute, Bruno Fernandes made a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, hitting the bottom of the crossbar and scoring the third time in Poland's net.

Conceding three goals in 20 minutes left Poland in a slump and the rest of the match continued to see explosive performances from the home team, especially Ronaldo. In the 83rd minute, the Portuguese captain assisted Pedro Neto to make it 4-0 before completing his double with a classy bicycle kick.

A minute after Ronaldo's masterpiece, Poland got an honorary goal with a goal from substitute Dominik Marczuk with an effort from outside the penalty area. Winning 5-1, Portugal is sure to top the group and enter the quarterfinals. As for Poland, this team is stuck in 3rd place with 4 points, equal with Scotland but better in the secondary index.

Messi yells at referee in World Cup qualifiers

On the morning of November 15 (Hanoi time), Lionel Messi angrily shouted at the referee during Argentina's 1-2 defeat to Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America.

In the 37th minute, the atmosphere at Defensores del Chaco was suffocating. Messi, with his magical feet, led a counter-attack at full speed, tearing apart the Paraguayan defense. But at that moment, Omar Alderete, who had received a yellow card earlier, made a rough tackle on the Argentine superstar.

The referee could have given Alderete a second yellow card, sending him off, but he didn't. The decision left the entire Argentina team indignant. The cameras captured the moment Messi approached the referee with an angry expression on his face.

According to Ole, "You are a coward, I don't like you" is what Leo said to the referee. He even pointed and shouted at the referee. Normally, this statement would get a player at least a yellow card, or even a red card, but Leo was not punished.

Not only the players but also coach Lionel Scaloni were displeased, constantly demanding punishment and harshly criticizing the referee, even calling him "unfair". Coach Scaloni said after the match: "Omar Alderete clearly fouled Messi, but Mr. Daronco ignored it and did not send him off."

Against Paraguay, the reigning World Cup champions started impressively and needed only 10 minutes to open the scoring. However, the home team played well and came back to beat Argentina 2-1.

Despite the loss, Argentina still holds the top spot with 22 points, 3 points more than Colombia but having played one more match. The 2022 World Cup defending champion's form has declined recently. In the last 4 rounds, Messi and his teammates have only won 1 match (lost 2, drawn 1).