Vietnamese full-back calls Indonesia player an actor

In the 74th minute, Klok stood right next to Hau in Indonesia’s box, when Vietnam were preparing to take a corner. Suddenly, Klok fell down and acted like he was in pain. Other Indonesia players thought that Hau hit Klok, so they shoved him. But the slow-motion replay revealed that Klok acted on purpose in that situation and there was no contact from Hau.

After the game, Hau was asked about the incident and he said: “He was just an actor. Don’t be bothered.”

 

 

Vietnamese full-back calls Indonesia player an actor

Klok falls by himself

Before that, Hau was involved in several duels with Asnawi Mangkualam, leading to more tension between both teams. The Indonesia defender received a yellow card in the 36th minute for fouling Hau, while the Vietnamese full-back also got booked two minutes later for paying back. Klok got angry with Hau the most as he repeatedly provoked him and said that the referee needed to have a heavier punishment for the Vietnamese full-back.

Three years ago, in the SEA Games 30 final against Indonesia, Hau tackled and injured Evan Dimas, then even scored a brace to help Vietnam win 3-0 and claim the gold medal. That alone turned Hau into a villain in the eyes of Indonesia fans and players.

In the first leg of the semifinals at Indonesia’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Hau received many harsh tackles from the opponent. In that game, Hau was also lucky not to get a red card when he had a dangerous tackle on Dendy Sulistyawan, and avoid a penalty when he fouled Ricky Kambuaya inside the box. Before the return second leg, he was again the center of criticism from Indonesian fans and press. Coach Shin Tae-yong even posted on Instagram with a caption aiming toward the 23-year-old defender.

But Hau said that did not affect his performance.

“The issues online stay online. I just focus on preparing well for the match. We won today thanks to such good preparation,” he said.

Doan Van Hau gets into an altercation with Indonesia players during the second leg of AFF Cup on January 9, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Hieu Luong

In the second leg at My Dinh National Stadium, Vietnam beat Indonesia 2-0 thanks to a brace from striker Nguyen Tien Linh. Of all stats, Indonesia only beat Vietnam in the number of fouls, 17 to 12. Each team got two yellow cards. The victory helped Vietnam advance to the 2022 AFF Cup final and extend the clean sheet streak from the beginning of the tournament.

“I’m very happy and I want to dedicate this victory to the fans,” Hau said. “Vietnam have reached the final and now is the time to prepare, regardless of the opponent.”

Vietnam will play the first leg final on Friday in My Dinh Stadium, then the second leg on January 16.