Announcing the identity of the main referee for the Thailand-Vietnam match

Benjamin Jon Williams, an Australian referee, has been appointed to officiate the match between Thailand and Vietnam - the opening match of Group F of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Asia.

Referee Benjamin Jon Williams shows a red card to Belgium's Defour at the 2014 World Cup. (Source: Reuters)

Mr. Benjamin Jon Williams is highly regarded by FIFA. He is also one of 25 referees selected for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

The Australian referee is considered one of the fairest and strictest referees. At the 2014 World Cup, he did not hesitate to send off midfielder Steven Defour for a foul in the match between Belgium and South Korea in the group stage.

This is the third time referee Benjamin Jon Williams has been appointed to officiate a match involving Vietnam. In the previous two matches, Vietnam won 1 and lost 1.

In 2007, in the 2008 Olympic qualifying round, this referee officiated the match between Vietnam Olympic and Indonesia Olympic at My Dinh Stadium. In that match, Vietnam Olympic won a thrilling 2-1 victory with a double from Vu Phong.

In 2009, also at My Dinh Stadium, Mr. Benjamin Jon Williams officiated the Vietnam - Syria match in the 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers. Unfortunately, in that match, the Vietnam team lost to Syria 0-1 with Rafe scoring the only goal in the 90+4 minute.

The match between Thailand and Vietnam will take place at 7pm tonight (May 24, Vietnam time) at Rajamangala Stadium and Vietnamese fans are hoping that this referee will be fair, as well as waiting for the home team to win./.

According to Vietnam+