3 weeks ago
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By Duc Dong  February 15, 2025 | 12:49 am PT
Velizar Popov, the head coach of V. League club Thanh Hoa FC, was forced to leave the field by police after resisting a red card in a dramatic 2-2 draw against HCMC FC.
The incident began in the 26th minute of the Friday match at Thong Nhat Stadium, when a tackle by a player of host HCMC on Thanh Hoa striker Ribamar (yellow jersey) caused frustration on the bench.
Referee Le Vu Linh allowed play to continue and didn't blow the whistle.
Coach Popov reacted angrily from the sidelines and directed his protests at fourth official Nguyen Van Phuc.
As a result, Popov was shown a yellow card by referee Linh.
Moments later, VAR reviewed the play but didn't find any dangerous foul as Popov's frustration continued.
By first-half stoppage time, Popov was again furious, this time after Thanh Hoa defender Nguyen Thanh Long’s foul led to a penalty for HCMC.
The 49-year-old held his face in anger and later kicked the water bottles away.
This action earned Popov a second yellow from referee Linh, sending him off.
Rather than leaving the field, Popov argued with the referee and screamed into his face. He also resisted attempts by his assistants to calm him down.
Tensions escalated as one of Thanh Hoa’s staff members was also sent off after receiving two yellow cards.
Red card for coach Popov.
During halftime, Popov explained to match officials that he believed he didn't deserve a second yellow card.
He claimed his reaction was directed at the home team’s defender, not the referee, but his protests failed to change the decision.
When Popov was dismissed, Thanh Hoa were leading 1-0 thanks to a seventh-minute goal from Igor Salatiel. However, HCMC turned the match around in the second half, taking a 2-1 lead with goals from Tran Manh Cuong and Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong in the 56th and 76th minutes.
Thanh Hoa managed to salvage a point with a stunning equalizer in the 81st minute. Captain Doan Ngoc Tan received the ball outside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful one-touch strike that flew into the top corner, leaving HCMC goalkeeper Patrick Le Giang helpless.
The game ended in a 2-2 draw after nearly 10 minutes of added time. The result pushed Thanh Hoa down to second place in the league standings with 23 points, one behind defending champions Nam Dinh, but with a game in hand.
Highlights: HCMC FC 2-2 Thanh Hoa FC
