The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed the officiating crew for the highly anticipated U23 Asian Cup 2024 opening match between U23 Vietnam and U23 Kuwait, scheduled for 10:30 PM on April 17th. The match, set to unfold under the lights of the iconic stadium in Doha, will be managed by referee Abdulla Al Marri from Qatar, with assistance from Faisal Al Shammari and Zahy Al Shammari, also of Qatar.
The VAR responsibilities have been assigned to Tajikistan’s Hassan Karimov.
Referee Abdulla Al Marri is no stranger to Vietnamese football, having previously officiated the World Cup 2026 qualifier match where Vietnam faced a narrow 1-0 defeat against Iraq. In that contentious encounter, Al Marri issued four yellow cards, two of which were given to players Đình Bắc and Thái Sơn, both of whom are participating in this year’s U23 Asian Cup. His decision-making in that game drew significant attention, particularly when he allowed the match to extend into the ninth minute of stoppage time despite only six minutes being indicated, a decision that coincided with Iraq scoring the match’s lone goal.
The upcoming game holds considerable significance for U23 Vietnam, offering a fresh opportunity to assert themselves on the Asian stage. With memories of the previous encounter with Al Marri still fresh, the team and its supporters are likely to be particularly attentive to the officiating.
Fans unable to attend the match can look forward to live coverage provided by Vietnam Sports News, ensuring supporters can follow every moment as it happens. This match not only kicks off Vietnam’s campaign but also sets the tone for their journey through the tournament, with high hopes resting on the young team to deliver a strong performance.
Leave a Reply