Two foreign referees revealed for two highly intense V-League matches

Two FIFA referees from Malaysia continue to be invited to officiate in Round 20 of V-League 2025/26, where the championship race and relegation battle are entering their most tense phase.

Round 20 of V-League 2025/26 continues to witness the presence of foreign referees as the organizers decide to invite two FIFA referees from Malaysia to manage crucial matches. This is a notable move in the context where both the championship race and the relegation battle are entering the most intense stage of the season.

The first match featuring a foreign referee is the encounter between Thanh Hóa Club and PVF-CAND, taking place at 18:00 on April 25. The person assigned to officiate is referee Razlan Joffri Bin Ali, a familiar face to Vietnamese football fans. The referee born in 1985 has frequently performed duties in V-League and is often assigned to matches of significant importance, requiring decisiveness and experience.

The contest between Thanh Hóa and PVF-CAND is considered a "reverse final" in the lower part of the table. Thanh Hóa currently has 17 points and ranks 12th, while PVF-CAND is only 4 points behind and sits right below at 13th place. This match carries immense significance in the relegation battle, where even a small mistake could completely alter the situation. Therefore, the referee's role will be particularly crucial in managing intense dispute situations.

The second match with a Malaysian referee performing duties is the clash between Đà Nẵng Club and Thể Công Viettel at 18:00 on April 26. Referee Mohamad Nawal Bin Mohammad Zubir, born in 1995, will make his first appearance in Vietnam's professional football system. Although relatively young, Mr. Zubir is a FIFA referee assessed to have good expertise and is being given many opportunities by the Malaysian Football Federation in major tournaments.

This is also a pivotal match for both teams. Thể Công Viettel currently holds 41 points and ranks 2nd on the standings, fiercely chasing in the championship race. Meanwhile, Đà Nẵng with 12 points remains at the bottom of the table and desperately needs points to keep relegation hopes alive. Despite being assessed as weaker in strength, the Han River team still has home advantage and consistently shows strong fighting spirit when facing major opponents.

Before Round 20, V-League had already had 4 matches officiated by foreign referees, including encounters between Công an Hà Nội, Hà Nội FC, Thể Công Viettel, and Ninh Bình. The continued invitation of FIFA referees from Malaysia indicates that the organizers aim to enhance fairness, reduce controversies, and improve officiating quality during the critical phase of the season. As performance pressure grows, every decision on the field could directly impact both the championship race and the relegation battle.

Thể Công Viettel Club continues to propose inviting foreign referees for V-League matches

CAHN has the opportunity to become the strongest club in V-League history