Coach Harry Kewell expresses frustration after incident leads to Hanoi FC's painful defeat

Coach Harry Kewell is frustrated, believing the red card shown to Hanoi FC was the pivotal moment that led to their defeat in the derby.

The Capital Derby between Hanoi FC and The Cong Viettel concluded with much controversy, particularly surrounding the red card given to foreign player Daniel Passira. Following the loss, Coach Harry Kewell could not hide his anger regarding the decision made by the Thai referee.

The turning point occurred in the 78th minute while Hanoi FC was pushing for an equalizer. In a situation where Viettel's player Hoang Minh was down near the touchline, Daniel Floro Da Silva showed impatience and pulled the opponent off the field. Immediately, the main referee issued a direct red card, leaving the visiting team with only 10 players at a crucial moment.

Sharing his thoughts after the game, Coach Kewell expressed his clear viewpoint: "The red card was very strange; I still don't understand what happened. That was the key moment that changed everything. Similar situations in the English Premier League do not result in a red card. I don't know what the referee was thinking, but that is part of our disappointment today." According to the Australian strategist, this decision completely shifted the dynamics of the game.

Nevertheless, the former star who played in Europe also candidly acknowledged that the problem lies with his own team. He admitted: "Hanoi FC was only a shadow of its previous match. We lost right in the first half; the players kept chasing the opponents." This assessment shows he not only blamed the referee but also pointed out his players' lack of sharpness in their approach.

Evaluating the opponent, Coach Kewell acknowledged The Cong Viettel demonstrated composure and timely shrewdness. He stated that the army-backed team played fiercely, diligently, and knew how to slow down the game's pace when needed, while Hanoi FC lacked the alertness to counter that.

Concluding the press conference, he said: "The Cong Viettel was better than us. It's not good to lose a derby, but now there's nothing else to do except learn from it and prepare for the next match." The defeat in this emotional match forces Hanoi FC to quickly regain their morale if they do not want to fall behind in the race ahead.