Vietnam National Team Receives "Rain" of Bonuses; Iranian Referee Wrong to Recognize Jordan's Goal

Vietnam team receives "rain" of bonuses

After defeating Jordan in a penalty shootout, the Vietnamese team received large bonuses from many organizations and businesses. According to statistics, the team's bonus amount has reached more than 7 billion VND.

Previously, by participating in the Asian Cup, the Vietnamese team had pocketed 200,000 USD from the tournament organizers. If they pass the upcoming quarter-finals, the Vietnamese team will receive at least 1 million USD from the tournament organizers. The rewards from organizations and businesses are also promised to be much higher.

Van Lam was praised by foreign newspapers

Van Lam contributed greatly to the victory of the Vietnamese team. Photo: AFC

Four Four Two newspaper praised Van Lam as "The Hero of the Vietnam National Team" when this goalkeeper saved a penalty well to help the "Golden Stars" become the first team to win a ticket to the quarter-finals of the 2019 Asian Cup.

Vietnam national football team held a 24th birthday party for Duc Huy

Immediately after defeating Jordan on penalties to win a ticket to the quarter-finals of the 2019 Asian Cup, the Vietnam national team immediately returned to the hotel and celebrated Pham Duc Huy’s 24th birthday. Coach Park Hang-seo once again showed his sense of humor.

Tim Cahill congratulates Vietnam team on their victory

On his personal page with millions of followers, the star who once played for Everton, Tim Cahill, sent his congratulations to Coach Park Hang Seo and his team. Tim Cahill shared a video recording the celebration of Vietnamese players in the dressing room after the victory over Jordan on penalties with the status line: "Vietnam advances thanks to the penalty shootout. Congratulations." The status line quickly received responses from Vietnamese fans.

Tim Cahill was part of the Australian team that won the 2015 Asian Cup. During the campaign, the former Everton player in the Premier League scored 3 goals, contributing greatly to the first Asian Cup title in the history of the Australian team. The 1979-born attacker retired from international football after the Australian team was eliminated from the group stage of the 2018 World Cup.

Iranian referee was wrong to recognize Jordan's goal

At the end of the first half of the match between Vietnam and Jordan in the 1/8 round of the 2019 Asian Cup, referee Alireza Faghani awarded Jordan an indirect free kick in the 16m50 line of Vietnam because he thought Hung Dung had committed a high foot foul. In indirect free kick situations, the ball must have gone through two touches. However, the way the two players in white Jordan executed the kick seemed to be invalid when Bahaa Abdulrahman kicked the ball into the net of Vietnam, but the referee still recognized it as the opening goal.

Referee Vo Quang Vinh said on this issue: “The referee made a mistake when he recognized Jordan’s goal against Vietnam. Because the ball never rolled during the indirect free kick.”

With his many years of experience in observing and commentating, commentator Quang Huy also said that Jordan's goal was invalid: "It was clearly an indirect free kick. According to the rules, the ball must have been touched twice before entering the net to be recognized. This is a new rule. The Vietnamese team was wronged in this situation. The referee should have given us a kick-off," the veteran commentator emphasized.

The IFAB rules for indirect free kicks have a section devoted to the state of the ball. Specifically, the rules state: “The ball must be stationary and the kicker must not touch it again until it has been touched by another player. The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves, unless it is a free kick by the defending team, in which case it is only necessary to kick the ball directly out of the penalty area.”

Man City reached 100 goals

Danilo's powerful shot opened the victory for the away team. Photo: Reuters

Winning 3-0 against Huddersfield in round 23 of the 2018/2019 Premier League, Man City became the first team in Europe to reach 100 goals in all competitions in the 2018/2019 season.

With this victory, coach Pep Guardiola's team has 56 points, 4 points behind Liverpool in the race to win the Premier League this season.

Messi left the bench to rescue Barca

Welcoming Leganes at home in round 20 of Liga, coach Ernesto Valverde put Messi on the bench. Although opening the score early in the 32nd minute thanks to Ousmane Dembele's goal, Barca fell into a deadlock when their opponents equalized 1-1 in the 57th minute. At this time, coach Valverde decided to put Messi on the field. The Argentine star immediately affirmed his value as a superstar.

Liga Results

Barcelona 3-1 Leganes
Real Betis 3-2 Girona
Villarreal 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
Levante 2-0 Real Valladolid
Rayo Vallecano 2-2 Real Sociedad

In the 71st minute, Messi had a long-range shot that forced the Leganes goalkeeper to punch the ball, but the ball was still in play and Suarez quickly rushed in to kick the ball back. Leganes reacted violently because Suarez seemed to have kicked Cuellar's hand, but after using VAR, the referee still recognized the goal. In the 90+2 minute, Messi shot into the top corner of the goal after being fed by Jordi Alba, sealing a 3-1 victory for Barca. With this victory, Barca continued to recreate the 5-point gap with Atletico Madrid.