V-League: Cong An Ha Noi beat Dong Nai 3-0 amid pitch violence concerns

On September 20, Cong An Ha Noi secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Dong Nai in round 3 of the V-League. The three points gave the police-backed team an early-season boost. However, what fans talked about most were the violent incidents, especially those involving Dinh Bac, Van Son and Huynh Tan Sinh. From the opening minutes, the match was played at a high tempo. Dong Nai focused on defending, while Cong An Ha Noi controlled more possession. In the 15th minute, a moment of poor discipline changed the game. Dong Nai defender Van Son elbowed Dinh Bac in the face during a challenge. Referee Le Vu Linh immediately showed a straight red card. Dinh Bac also received a yellow card for his angry reaction and provocation beforehand. After going down to ten men, Dong Nai had to drop deeper and defend with numbers. Cong An Ha Noi used their numerical advantage to pile on pressure. Although it was not easy to break through a packed defense, the Hanoi side scored three goals to seal a 3-0 win. But the match was not over in terms of controversy. Early in the second half, another flashpoint occurred. Dinh Bac held off a challenge from Dong Nai central defender Huynh Tan Sinh. Instead of making a legal challenge, Tan Sinh repeatedly kicked the legs of the Cong An Ha Noi forward. The kicks sent Dinh Bac to the ground. Referee Le Vu Linh only showed a yellow card, a decision that angered many fans. In their view, the incident deserved a red card because of the violent nature and the clear intention shown by the away defender. On the Vietnamese Football Fans Forum, conflicting opinions quickly appeared. One fan wrote: “Fouls are unavoidable in football. However, intentional attacks on opponents must be removed from football.” This view was widely supported, because the line between tactical fouling and violent conduct is becoming thinner in domestic matches. Another member criticized the referee team: “The referee team must take responsibility for handling this situation too lightly. Tan Sinh should have received a red card.” The comment attracted attention, especially after slow-motion replays were shared widely. Many questioned the referee’s standard, given that a challenge capable of causing serious injury was punished with only a yellow card. One fan brought up Huynh Tan Sinh’s past: “Huynh Tan Sinh was a former Vietnam U20 player at the World Cup, won the SEA Games with Vietnam U23 and has played professionally for more than 10 years. Yet he still lost his temper against a younger player. He should not have been involved in such trouble. His career could have been better if he had known how to control himself.” This is a meaningful viewpoint, because Tan Sinh was once a source of pride for Vietnamese youth football. Beyond individual stories, a fan expressed concern for the national team: “I worry about Vietnamese players ahead of the FIFA ASEAN Cup. We have already lost too many players to injuries.” This concern is justified, because deliberate fouls can lead to long-term injuries and directly affect the national team’s squad. Another comment addressed a systemic problem: “If Vietnamese football cannot remove violent tackles, we cannot reach a higher level. Only players with poor technique and no self-control make such crude challenges.” This statement touches the root of the issue: pitch violence reflects a wider playing culture and the quality of player education. Another fan said: “Football exists to learn, not to destroy opponents. Where is the noble sportsmanship of the players?” This is also a question many neutral spectators are asking, especially as the V-League has witnessed similar incidents for years. Someone even recalled an earlier incident this season: “Violence has been happening in the V-League for many years, but we have not been able to fix it. A few weeks ago, Van Hau kicked an opponent. Now Tan Sinh and Van Son attacked Dinh Bac in a crude way.” Indeed, Doan Van Hau was suspended for four V-League matches and fined 20 million VND for a violent foul on Doan Ngoc Tan. Yet the severe punishment does not seem to have created enough of a deterrent. Some opinions suggested that Dinh Bac should also reflect on himself. They argued that his flashy style and provocative behavior made him a target for opponents. In modern football, good technique is often accompanied by confidence, but the line between confidence and over-aggression is thin. Without proper control, the young player may keep paying the price with unnecessary injuries. Many fans asked disciplinary bodies to review the incident on video, especially if the foul from behind was considered highly dangerous. Reviewing footage after matches is not new, but the key is whether authorities have the determination to act. If the punishment stops at an on-field yellow card, players may feel more comfortable playing dangerously in later rounds, creating a cycle of violence that is difficult to stop. Looking at the early rounds of the season, the image of the V-League is truly alarming. A league cannot grow strong based only on professionalism and club investment. Spectator culture, fair-play spirit, player discipline and referee management must all improve together. If not, fans will slowly turn away from a league where beautiful football is overshadowed by elbows and reckless kicks. For Cong An Ha Noi, the 3-0 win brought three valuable points, but the joy was partly dimmed by the tense atmosphere of the match. The Hanoi team needs convincing victories built on controlled play, rather than concern caused by repeated collisions. For Dong Nai, losing a player early and facing possible post-match punishment may seriously weaken them in the coming period. The story from round 3 of the V-League is a warning. Vietnamese football is facing a big opportunity as the national team prepares for the FIFA ASEAN Cup. Competitive domestic matches can motivate players, but non-sporting injuries can rob key players of their chance to join the national squad. No team can be strong when it keeps losing players because of reckless fouls, especially those born from moments of anger. What is more worrying is the frequency of similar incidents. If punishments remain limited to yellow cards or small fines, the V-League will keep repeating the ugly images criticized for years. A strong, fast and transparent disciplinary mechanism is needed so that every player thinks twice before acting without control. No one denies the intensity of top-level matches, but football should not be a place that nurtures violence. As for Dinh Bac, the young forward needs to learn from his own situations. Talent is precious, but without intelligent play and proper attitude, that talent will quickly fade. Young players must learn to cope with pressure from opponents, referees and the crowd. Staying focused for 90 minutes helps both the individual and the team avoid unnecessary disadvantage. The match between Cong An Ha Noi and Dong Nai ended with a 3-0 score. But its aftermath remains full of questions about refereeing, discipline and on-field behavior. As Vietnamese football aims higher, from the ASEAN Cup to continental tournaments, building a healthy football environment is a prerequisite. Fans can accept defeat, but they cannot accept violence. Without decisive change from all sides, the lesson from round 3 will keep repeating in the future.