Sam Ngoc Duc was banned from playing 8 matches in V-League

Sam Ngoc Duc is famous for playing rough and mean with his opponents. Photo:Duc Dong

In the match at Thong Nhat Stadium, in the 84th minute, Sam Ngoc Duc kicked Quang Ninh midfielder Nguyen The Hung in the chest. The home team defender immediately received a red card.

Today, the VFF Disciplinary Board met and determined that this was a dangerous tackle, with an intentional act of violating the opponent's body. Therefore, they decided to ban Sam Ngoc Duc for eight matches and fine him 35 million VND. There are only six rounds left in the current season, so the defender of Ho Chi Minh City will have to serve his sentence until the beginning of the 2019 season.

Before the penalty was handed down, Ho Chi Minh City Club President Nguyen Huu Thang said Sam Ngoc Duc was very remorseful and had apologized to player The Hung as well as Quang Ninh Club. “Personally, Sam Ngoc Duc and Ho Chi Minh City Club will accept all penalties imposed by the Organizing Committee,” he said.

This is not the first time Ngoc Duc has received a penalty. In this year's National Cup, the player from Nghe An also had a rough tackle on SLNA midfielder Phan Van Duc at Vinh Stadium. He was then suspended for four matches. In the 2017 V-League, Sam Ngoc Duc, then playing for Hanoi FC, also had a devastating tackle on Hai Phong defender Anh Hung. He was then banned for eight matches and fined 30 million VND.

Sam Ngoc Duc regrets continuously playing dirty in V-League. Photo:Duc Dong