Vietnam U22 2-1 Laos U22: Kim Sang-sik receives a yellow card.
In the 60th minute, Dinh Bac's 2-1 goal was initially flagged offside but was later awarded the goal by referee Rustam Lutfullin; Kim Sang-sik received a yellow card for protesting. Vietnam U22 temporarily leads Group B of the SEA Games 33.
Vietnam U22 defeated Laos U22 2-1 on the evening of December 3rd, in a night where the climax came in the 60th minute: Dinh Bac's left-footed shot to make it 2-1 was flagged offside by assistant referee Sanjar, before the refereeing team led by Rustam Lutfullin consulted and confirmed the goal. Coach Kim Sang-sik reacted strongly and received a yellow card. The victory puts Vietnam U22 temporarily at the top of Group B at the SEA Games 33.
The climax in the 60th minute: raising the flag, a consultation, then a change of decision.
The play began when Dinh Bac controlled the ball neatly outside the penalty area and unleashed a delicate left-footed shot, beating goalkeeper Lokphathip Kop. The goal was immediately disallowed by assistant referee Sanjar, who argued that Quoc Viet was involved in the play and influenced the goalkeeper, according to clause 2, article 11 regarding offside.
The reaction from the Vietnam U22 team, especially from the technical area, was immediate and explosive. In front of the television cameras, coach Kim repeatedly explained that Quoc Viet was not involved in the play, and that Dinh Bac's shot was legitimate. Referee Rustam Lutfullin had to stop the game to consult with his assistants. After a few minutes of discussion, the decision was reversed: the Vietnam U22 goal was awarded.
The consequence of the excessive reaction was a yellow card for coach Kim Sang-sik. For a coach who is usually calm, this was a rare moment, reflecting the weight of a crucial decision at a turning point in the match.
Legal Corner: Why did the assistant wave the flag?
According to the refereeing team's description, the offside call stemmed from the assessment that Quoc Viet had participated in and influenced the goalkeeper's ability to handle the ball – a point falling within the scope of Clause 2, Article 11. However, after deliberation, the final assessment concluded that Quoc Viet did not affect Dinh Bac's shot, therefore the goal was valid.
The pace after halftime and the message from the bench.
Earlier, the Vietnam U22 team went through a period of lapses in concentration after conceding a goal in the first half. In the locker room, coach Kim emphasized the need to get the team back on track. In the second half, the Vietnam U22 team played better, creating opportunities but missing chances to extend their lead.
Coach Kim shared after the match: “After the first half, I noticed the whole team lost focus after conceding a goal, so I reminded the players to get back into rhythm. In the second half, they played better, but we were still unlucky with our finishing. It's a shame we only scored two goals.”
Impact on the race in Group B
A 2-1 victory against U22 Laos helped U22 Vietnam temporarily take the lead in Group B of the SEA Games 33. However, coach Kim himself admitted that the team needs to improve their ability to capitalize on opportunities to increase their goal difference – a factor that could decide the outcome of the group stage.
Selected highlights
- Score: Vietnam U22 2-1 Laos U22 (evening of December 3).
- The crucial moment: in the 60th minute, Dinh Bac's goal was disallowed but then confirmed after the refereeing team consulted.
- Assistant flag bearer: Sanjar; main referee: Rustam Lutfullin.
- Laos U22 goalkeeper: Lokphathip Kop.
- Penalty: Coach Kim Sang-sik received a yellow card for his reaction.
The match ended with three points, but the bigger story lies in the ability to remain calm in the face of adversity and adjust the tempo at the right moment. That's something the Vietnam U22 team needs to continue honing if they want to go further in the tournament.
