Singapore media: VAR is controversial, Xuan Son makes our players lose morale

‘VAR disappoints Singapore’

Rematching Singapore in the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2024, the Vietnamese team won 3-1. Xuan Son continued to assert his class, scoring twice in minutes 45+1 and 63. The remaining goal of the Vietnamese team was scored by Tien Linh in minute 90+3 on the penalty spot. Meanwhile, the player who helped Singapore score an honorable mention was Japanese-born star Nakamura Kyoga (goal in the 74th minute). The 3-1 win in the first leg helped coach Kim Sang-sik and his team have a 5-1 final victory after 2 matches, winning the right to play in the 2024 AFF Cup final. In the history of the tournament, this is the second time 5 “Golden Star Warriors” can do this.

Immediately after Singapore lost to the Vietnamese team in the semi-finals of AFF Cup 2024, newspaper The Straits Times analyzed the reasons why coach Ogura Tsutomu and his team failed. The Singaporean newspaper said that VAR’s repeated intervention became the first cause of the above disappointing results.

Sheet The Straits Times wrote: “Singapore started the return match strongly despite the cold temperature at that time, only 16 degrees Celsius. Singapore confused the home team Vietnam with aggressive attacking play in the first minutes. And it seemed that effort paid off in the 10th minute, when Faris Ramli’s header in front of goal found the net. However, referee Lutfullin Rustam did not recognize it because he thought the Singaporean player committed a foul. Despite the VAR review, the decision was still upheld, leaving Singaporeans arguing and extremely disappointed.

And the pain was even greater when the home team Vietnam scored the opening goal in extra time in the first half. Xuan Son fell down after a free kick on the left wing. The referee consulted VAR again and pointed to the penalty spot because Lionel Tan pulled Xuan Son’s shirt in the penalty area. Xuan Son stepped up to score, creating excited cheers in Viet Tri. On the contrary, this is also another painful blow for Singapore players.”

Xuan Son, class makes Singaporean players lose their spirit

Meanwhile, sheet Berita Bahrain emphasized the importance of the opening goal that Xuan Son brought against Viet Tri. The Singapore newspaper said that from that moment, the Singapore team was psychologically affected and despite their efforts in the second half, they could not change the situation.

“Xuan Son’s goal at the end of the first half made our players lose morale and seemed to have no motivation to play. In the 66th minute, Singapore conceded again when they let Nguyen Hoang Duc run wild in the penalty area, dribble past Lionel Tan and Amirul Adli before passing in, helping Xuan Son touch the ball lightly. Vietnam’s number 12 striker is clearly on another level, always knowing how to appear at the right time and place. Xuan Son’s confidence when touching the ball and the moment of celebration at Viet Tri Stadium said it all. Xuan Son’s sublimation is completely different from the sad and disappointing emotions of the team led by coach Ogura Tsutomu.

When Kyoga Nakamura scored in the 74th minute, it didn’t mean much. The goal may just be a consolation, giving Singapore more motivation to overcome the discomfort. But not long after, our pain was deepened when in extra time in the second half, Tien Linh scored, sealing a convincing 5-1 victory after 2 rounds for Vietnam. Berita Harian comment.