The Singapore Lions' Mission

The Singapore Lions entered the crucial semi-final match of the Asean Championship in Vietnam with a clear mission: score early to unsettle a passionate home crowd and overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. However, their hopes were quickly dashed in a fraught encounter marred by controversy and VAR decisions at the Viet Tri Stadium.

Early Disallowed Goal

In a promising start, the Lions thought they had taken the lead just 10 minutes in when Faris Ramli's header appeared to find the net. The joy was short-lived, however, as the goal was disallowed after a lengthy VAR review, leaving players and fans in disbelief. Captain Hariss Harun expressed the team’s frustration, saying, “When we saw the ball hit the net, it gave us an extra boost, but the long wait and uncertainty made it tough.”

Turning Point — Penalty Decision

The match turned on its head just before half-time when Vietnamese striker Rafaelson was awarded a penalty after contact with Lions defender Lionel Tan. Initial confusion arose when referee Lutfullin Rustam mistakenly issued Tan a second yellow card for what he thought was a previous foul, only to correct himself and allow Tan to stay on the pitch. Rafaelson calmly converted the penalty, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Vietnam's Dominance

As the match progressed, the Lions struggled to maintain their momentum. Vietnam doubled their lead in the 63rd minute through Rafaelson again, who capitalized on a defensive mix-up to score his second goal of the night. The Lions finally found the net in the 74th minute when Japan-born midfielder Kyoga Nakamura, returning from suspension, scored with a powerful shot from outside the box. Yet, it was not enough to reignite their comeback hopes.

Stoppage-Time Penalty

Vietnam sealed their victory with a stoppage-time penalty from Nguyen Tien Linh after Amirul Adli was penalized for a push in the box. The defeat meant the Lions bowed out of the tournament with a 5-1 aggregate scoreline, leaving the team to reflect on a campaign that, despite the heartache, showed signs of progress.

Post-Match Reflections

The emotional evening concluded with jubilant Vietnamese fans celebrating outside the stadium while the Lions trudged back to their bus, visibly deflated. Harun offered a glimmer of hope for the future, highlighting the team's resilience throughout the tournament and expressing pride in their ability to reach the knockout stages after a lengthy period. “We gave it a good fight and showed improvement,” he remarked.

Questions on Harun's Future

As discussions of the team's next steps begin, questions linger about Harun's future in international football. The 34-year-old veteran, who capped his 138th appearance, hinted at the possibility of retirement, leaving fans wondering if he had played his final game in national colors.

Conclusion

In the end, the match for the Lions served as a stern reminder of the unpredictability of football and the crucial role VAR decisions can play in shaping outcomes. For Vietnam, the celebration continues as they look forward to the final, suggesting that their journey has only just begun.