There were controversies aplenty in Vietnam’s 3-0 win over Malaysia on Tuesday’s 2022 AFF Championship action, with Japanese referee Ryuji Sato handing out two red cards to Vietnam’s Nguyen Van Toan and Malaysia’s Azam Azmi, the latter leading to a much-contested penalty as the foul that led to Azmi’s dismissal happened outside the pitch. Nonetheless, the three points meant that Vietnam are taking pole position of Group B, equal on points with 2nd placed Malaysia but with a game in hand and a better goal difference.
Malaysia, who had won their two previous Group B games, travel to the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi to take on Vietnam, who had aced their only game so far. The clash of titans between two of Group B’s strongest teams was a match hotly-anticipated by anyone, however the affair was a slow-burner in the first 20 minutes – although tensions did rise in the 16th minute after Doan Van Hau managed to escape unpunished after elbowing Azmi to the ground.
Nguyen Tien Linh broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, heading a Do Hung Dung corner into Syihan Hazmi’s goal, however four minutes afterwards Van Toan was shown a second yellow card following a late challenge on Dominic Tan.
Now down to ten and with talisman Nguyen Quang Hai sitting on the bench, Vietnam struggled a bit as Malaysia attempted to force their way into the Golden Dragons’ defense. Park Hang-seo’s men managed to hold firm, though, and they managed to retain their slender lead into the break.
Tensions once again flare up at the end of the first half after Van Hau landed his elbow on another Malaysian player, this time Shahrul Nazeem. The afro-haired Selangor FC defender retaliated by shoving Van Hau to the ground, leading to referee Sato to book both of them and Vietnam head coach Hang-seo to reprimand Van Hau.
Vietnam started the second half with attacking gusto with Phan Van Duc forcing a save from Hazmi in the 50th minute after the Song Lam Nghe An man had taken advantage of a defensive mistake by Nor Hakim Hassan.
Ten minutes afterwards the most controversial moment of the match occurred. Van Hau and Azmi once again went up against each other, with the Hanoi FC man pushing the Terengganu FC player into the sidelines, near Malaysia’s penalty box. Azmi retaliated to Van Hau’s challenge by kicking him in the head.
Referee Sato saw the whole incident and immediately sent off Azmi, before awarding Vietnam a penalty much to the anger of the Malaysia camp. The Harimau Malaya felt that the incident occurred outside the penalty area, however as the ball was still in play and within the box when Azmi kicked Van Hau, a penalty was rightfully given to Vietnam.
Que Ngoc Hai, who was tasked in dispatching the penalty, did his job excellently, beating Hazmi with a powerful shot.
Now trailing by two goals, Malaysia pushed hard for a goal that would enable them to chase the game, however Dang Van Lam and the Vietnam defense performed resolutely to deny the Harimau Malaya.
Instead it was Vietnam who managed to triple their advantage in the 83rd minute. Substitute Quang Hai managed to find Nguyen Hoang Duc with a cheeky no-look through pass, which the Viettel FC player converted past Hazmi to seal all three points for the Golden Dragons.
Tuesday’s other Group B match saw Singapore eliminating Laos with a straightforward 2-0 win away at the New Laos National Stadium in Vientiane, with goals from Irfan Fandi and Shawal Anuar ensuring victory for the Lions.