VAR controversy, Xuan Son makes our players lose spirit

'VAR disappoints Singapore'

In the second leg of the AFF Cup 2024 semi-final against Singapore, the Vietnamese team won 3-1. Xuan Son continued to affirm his class, scoring a double in the 45+1 and 63 minutes. The remaining goal of the Vietnamese team was scored by Tien Linh in the 90+3 minute from the penalty spot. Meanwhile, the player who helped Singapore score an honorary goal was Japanese-born star Nakamura Kyoga (goal in the 74th minute). The 3-1 victory in the second leg helped coach Kim Sang-sik and his team win 5-1 overall after 2 matches, winning the right to play in the final of the AFF Cup 2024. In the history of the tournament, this is the 5th time the "Golden Star Warriors" have done this.

Truyền thông Singapore: VAR gây tranh cãi, Xuân Son làm cầu thủ chúng ta mất tinh thần- Ảnh 1. — Vietnam team is the first team to enter the final of AFF Cup 2024

Immediately after Singapore lost to Vietnam in the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2024, The Straits Times analyzed the reasons for coach Ogura Tsutomu and his team's defeat. The Singaporean newspaper said that the repeated intervention of VAR was the primary reason for the disappointing result.

The Straits Times wrote: “Singapore started the second leg strongly despite the chilly temperatures of just 16 degrees Celsius. Singapore confused the hosts Vietnam with their aggressive attacking play in the early minutes. And it looked like their efforts were rewarded in the 10th minute, when Faris Ramli’s header from across the goal went into the net. However, referee Lutfullin Rustam ruled out a foul on the Singaporean player. Despite a VAR review, the decision was upheld, leaving Singaporeans in a state of confusion and frustration.

And the pain was even greater when the home team Vietnam opened the scoring in the first half's stoppage time. Xuan Son fell after a free kick on the left wing. The referee consulted VAR again and pointed to the penalty spot because Lionel Tan had pulled Xuan Son's shirt in the penalty area. Xuan Son stepped up to score, creating excited cheers in Viet Tri. On the contrary, this was another painful blow for the Singaporean player.

Truyền thông Singapore: VAR gây tranh cãi, Xuân Son làm cầu thủ chúng ta mất tinh thần- Ảnh 2. — Xuan Son continues to "shoot" for the Vietnam team

Xuan Son, the class that makes Singaporean players lose their spirit

Meanwhile, Berita Bahrain emphasized the importance of Xuan Son’s opening goal in Viet Tri. The Singaporean newspaper said that from that moment, the Singapore team was psychologically affected and despite their efforts in the second half, they could not change the situation.

“Xuan Son’s goal at the end of the first half made our players lose their spirit and seemed to have no motivation to play. In the 66th minute, Singapore conceded another goal when Nguyen Hoang Duc roamed the penalty area, dribbling past Lionel Tan and Amirul Adli before passing the ball, allowing Xuan Son to touch the ball gently. Vietnam’s No. 12 striker is clearly on another level, always knowing how to appear at the right time and place. Xuan Son’s confidence when touching the ball and the moment of celebration on Viet Tri field said it all. Xuan Son’s sublimation was completely different from the sadness and disappointment of the team led by coach Ogura Tsutomu.

When Kyoga Nakamura scored in the 74th minute, it didn’t mean much. The goal could only be a consolation, giving Singapore more motivation to overcome the discomfort. But not long after, our pain was deepened when in the second half’s injury time, Tien Linh scored, sealing a convincing 5-1 victory after 2 matches for Vietnam,” commented Berita Harian .