Vietnam National Team defender receives first red card in his career

Turning 30 became a sad milestone for defender Bùi Tiến Dũng as he received the first red card of his career during the Viettel Army match that ended in a 1-1 draw with Ninh Bình in the 6th round of V.League.

On the evening of October 2, Ninh Bình FC hosted Viettel Army at home in a lively atmosphere. Both teams started fiercely, battling intensely in midfield, resulting in a tightly contested game with few clear chances.

The turning point came in the 33rd minute when defender Bùi Tiến Dũng pulled down striker Gustavo inside the penalty area. The referee did not hesitate to show a straight red card and awarded a penalty to Ninh Bình FC. After consulting VAR, the decision was upheld. This marked the first time in his top-level career that the veteran Viettel Army defender was sent off so bitterly, coinciding with his birthday.

From the penalty spot, Đức Chiến – a former Viettel Army player – calmly scored past goalkeeper Quàng Thế Tài, giving Ninh Bình FC the lead. The goal energized the home team, who launched several dangerous attacks in the first half.

Due to this red card, Bùi Tiến Dũng will miss the next two V-League matches, representing a significant loss for Viettel Army. After the match against Ninh Bình FC, he will join the Vietnam National Team to prepare for two upcoming Asian Cup 2027 qualifying matches against Nepal.

Back to the match, despite playing with 10 men, Viettel Army demonstrated resilience and strong spirit. In the 68th minute, after a determined run down the right wing by Lucao, substitute Đinh Xuân Tiến unleashed a swift volley that struck the top corner of Ninh Bình’s goal, leveling the score at 1-1.

In the remaining minutes, both sides played aggressively but no further goals were scored. The draw allowed Ninh Bình FC to maintain their unbeaten streak this season and stay atop the standings, while Viettel Army showed commendable toughness and fighting spirit.

After the match, Viettel Army’s coach Velizar Popov said: “Even with only 10 players, the team showed great spirit and clear gameplay. I am very proud of today’s performance. With this level of preparation and mentality, we are fully confident about the road ahead.”

The draw not only left a memorable mark with Bùi Tiến Dũng’s red card but also highlighted the emotional intensity of a dramatic V-League encounter.