Ignoring the foul on Xuân Son, the referee faces disciplinary action

Nguyễn Xuân Son's fall sparked major controversy as the referee declined to call a penalty, partly causing Nam Định to lose to HAGL and confront the danger of a disappointing missed point.

The match between Nam Định Club and HAGL in Round 18 of V.League 2025/26 is causing significant controversy after the referee was determined to have made a serious error in a crucial situation.

Specifically, in the 75th minute, Nguyễn Xuân Son made a cutting movement to receive a cross inside the penalty area. However, this forward fell after contact from HAGL's center-back Đinh Quang Kiệt. Despite this, the main referee Nguyễn Trung Kiên judged there was no foul and denied the home team a penalty.

This decision immediately sparked numerous debates, as the score was 1-1 at that moment, and a penalty could have completely changed the match's outcome. Shortly after, in the 82nd minute, HAGL seized an opportunity to score, securing a 2-1 victory right at Thiên Trường Stadium.

According to post-match professional analysis, the collision between Xuân Son and Quang Kiệt was determined to have sufficient grounds for a penalty call. This means referee Nguyễn Trung Kiên made a wrong decision, directly affecting the match result.

Due to this serious error, the "black-clad king" is highly likely to face disciplinary action from the tournament organizers. This is not the first time controversial referee decisions have become a focal point in V.League, and this incident continues to raise concerns about officiating standards.

For Nam Định Club, the home defeat becomes even more regrettable as they lost their advantage in a match where they performed well at many moments. Meanwhile, HAGL capitalized on the opportunity to leave with a full 3 points, but this victory still leaves many debates surrounding the referee's decision.