The main referee of the match between Song Lam Nghe An and Quang Nam will likely be suspended for 5 matches.

The match in round 4 of V.League 2023/24, at Vinh Stadium, is considered an attractive and dramatic match between the home team Song Lam Nghe An and Quang Nam. The match was full of dedication when there were 8 goals divided equally between both sides. However, the score could have been different if the main referee Khong Tam Cuong had not made the mistakes that were considered very serious in that match.

When Song Lam Nghe An was leading the opponent 2-1, striker Success had a speedy run to face the Quang Nam goalkeeper. However, a central defender of the away team had an impact from behind, causing the striker wearing the number 70 shirt of Song Lam Nghe An to fall down in the penalty area, losing the opportunity to widen the gap for the home team. However, the main referee did not point to the penalty spot. Immediately, Quang Nam won the ball to counterattack, leading to the situation where Hoang Vu Samson was fouled. Dinh Bac successfully kicked the penalty, equalizing the score 2-2. Thus, Song Lam Nghe An should have had a penalty with the opportunity to increase the score to 3-1, but this team was later awarded a penalty and tied the score 2-2.

Not only that, in a situation at the beginning of the match, Success put the ball into the net, but the linesman raised his flag for offside. However, if you look closely at the video recording, the striker of Song Lam Nghe An scored a valid goal.

Referee Khong Tam Cuong’s whistle blowing and omission of fouls created a wave of fierce protests from the audience at Vinh Stadium. The fans’ boos at the referee made the match less exciting.

With his wrong judgments, referee Khong Tam Cuong will be severely disciplined. The Vietnam Football Federation Referee Board may suspend this referee for 4 to 5 matches or even more. Referee Cuong was given a very low score by the referee supervisor in this match.

Duc Anh