Chinese media comments on the controversial decision of Vietnamese female referee at Asian tournament

The decisions of Vietnamese female referee Le Thi Ly received mixed reactions in the match between the Chinese women's team and the North Korean women's team.

Vietnamese referee Le Thi Ly faced controversy while officiating the match where the Chinese women's team defeated the North Korean women's team 2-1 in the final Group B match of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup on March 9 in Australia. Chinese media claimed that Ly made unreasonable decisions in this match, in two situations that should have resulted in red cards. In the 3rd minute, forward Kim Song Gyong stomped on the knee of Shao Ziqin but only received a yellow card after VAR review. In the 84th minute, defender An Kuk Hyang struck Wang Shuang's face in a cold attack, yet again only received a yellow card penalty.

The biggest controversy occurred during first-half stoppage time when the Chinese women's team scored to increase the lead to 2-1. Initially, the assistant raised the flag for offside, but after VAR intervention, the goal was validated, causing North Korean players to react fiercely and temporarily halt play for about four minutes.

North Korean women's players temporarily halted play

Page Sohu of China wrote: "In the 3rd minute, North Korean player number 9 Kim Song Gyong forcefully stomped on the knee of Chinese player Shao Ziqin during a challenge. This was a dangerous tackle and according to the rules could warrant a direct red card. However, after reviewing VAR, the referee only issued a yellow card, leaving many puzzled. Later in the 80th minute, the North Korean team scored from a counterattack by Choe Il Seon, but this situation was clearly offside. The referee did not detect it immediately and only canceled the goal after VAR confirmation, showing delay in the initial decision."

"At the end of the match, controversy continued in the 84th minute when North Korean captain An Kuk Hyang struck Wang Shuang with an elbow. This was a retaliatory foul deserving severe punishment. However after reviewing VAR, the referee still only issued a yellow card, allowing the North Korean player to avoid a red card, raising doubts about the officiating," the Chinese newspaper continued.

"The stoppage time also caused surprise. Although the second half was announced to have six minutes of added time, the referee blew the whistle to end the match 41 seconds early. The sudden final whistle surprised both teams: the Chinese women's team celebrated the victory, while North Korea showed disappointment," the Sohu page wrote.

Meanwhile, the page SCMP described: "In heavy rain and a fiercely contested match, the Chinese women's team surged ahead during first-half stoppage time thanks to forward Wang Shuang, who previously played for PSG and Tottenham. Her sharp finishing attempt was initially flagged for offside by the assistant referee, but VAR later overturned the decision and validated the goal. Wang Shuang celebrated for the second time, but the North Korean women's team reacted fiercely and demanded the referee review the VAR screen outside the field."

"Then a confrontation occurred as North Korean players refused to continue the match for four minutes, amidst jeers from Chinese-supporting spectators. As protests continued and coach Ri Song Ho received a yellow card, the referee decided not to play the remaining portion of the first half and blew the whistle for halftime."

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