Former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh: "The penalty for Que Ngoc Hai is reasonable"

The situation of Que Ngoc Hai using the sole of his shoe to tackle Tran Van Kien happened in the first minute of extra time of the match. Fortunately, the right-back of Hanoi only suffered a slight injury and was able to continue playing. For this foul, Que Ngoc Hai was given a yellow card by referee Tran Dinh Thinh.

Not long after that, the Viettel football team's management issued an internal penalty for the current captain of the Vietnam National Team. The announcement of the military football team stated: "This player will be suspended from playing in the away match of Viettel Club against Binh Duong Club (April 8 at Go Dau Stadium) to review the dangerous tackle against player Van Kien of Hanoi Club."

The situation where Que Ngoc Hai was given a yellow card by referee Tran Dinh Thinh. Photo: zing.vn

After carefully examining the situation, VFF also decided to fine Que Ngoc Hai 20 million VND and suspend him for 4 matches. This is the second time the player born in 1993 has received a heavy penalty from VFF (the previous time was for a foul on SHB Da Nang player Anh Khoa in V.League 2015).

Immediately after the VFF’s penalty for Que Ngoc Hai was announced, there were many public opinions. Many people agreed with the VFF, but many others thought the VFF’s penalty was too harsh. Talking to Nghe An Newspaper, expert Nguyen Thanh Vinh said:

“In terms of emotion, the penalty that VFF has just issued is severe, but in terms of reason, this is the correct decision of VFF. It is true that Que Ngoc Hai has played more “fair play” after the collision with Anh Khoa nearly 4 years ago, but his tackle on Van Kien was very dangerous. If Van Kien had not released his leg in time, he would have likely suffered a very serious injury.

The VFF's decision to impose such a penalty is reasonable, it serves as a deterrent not only to Que Ngoc Hai but also to all players who are and will be playing football in Vietnam. I feel sorry for Hai, just because of a moment of losing control, he committed an unnecessary foul on his colleague, fortunately Van Kien only suffered minor injuries. Hopefully, Que Ngoc Hai will learn a valuable lesson for himself."

The incident that caused Que Ngoc Hai to be sent off (second yellow card) in the match against SHB Da Nang. Photo: zing.vn

So, the new Viettel will not have the service of the central defender from Nghe An for at least 4 matches. The absence of Que Ngoc Hai will greatly affect the strength of coach Lee Heung-sil and his team in the near future. Don't forget, Viettel had to let player Nguyen Trong Hoang "sit idle" throughout the first leg of V.League 2019, because he did not have time to register for the competition list.

V.League 2019 has only gone through 3 rounds, but Que Ngoc Hai has been disqualified once (in the match against SHB Da Nang in round 1) and fined once more. A disappointing start in Hai “que”’s new shirt – Viettel./.