Hanoi, 25 May, 2025 – The highly anticipated clash between Hanoi Police FC and Hanoi FC in round 24 of the LPBank V.League 2024/25 will be officiated by FIFA-certified referees from South Korea. Scheduled to take place at Hang Day Stadium on May 26, 2025, at 19:15, this derby promises to be an intense and crucial encounter in the race for league positions.
For this vital fixture, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the tournament organizers have enlisted two experienced South Korean referees, Kim Woo-sung and Chae Sang-hyeop, to oversee the proceedings. One will take the role of the main referee, while the other will be responsible for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, ensuring the accuracy of decisions made throughout the match.
Although neither referee has officiated in the V.League before, Kim Woo-sung is a familiar name in Vietnamese football. Born in 1987, Kim has previously officiated several high-profile international matches involving the Vietnam national team. Notably, he was in charge of the 2024 AFF Cup match between Vietnam and Singapore. In addition, Kim Woo-sung has officiated at the AFC U23 Championship, where he was the main referee in the encounter between U23 Vietnam and U23 Uzbekistan.
Joining him for this high-stakes derby is his colleague, FIFA referee Chae Sang-hyeop, born in 1989. Chae has experience working in key competitions in Vietnam, including officiating the ASEAN Club Championship. He was the main referee during the group stage match at Hang Day Stadium, where Hanoi Police FC triumphed 3-2 over Borneo FC, a victory that propelled the Vietnamese team to the final of the prestigious tournament.
The decision to bring in foreign referees is part of a broader strategy by the VFF and tournament organizers to ensure the integrity of important matches in the V.League, particularly in the latter stages of the season. Foreign officials are often assigned to oversee high-stakes encounters that could have a significant impact on the championship race or the relegation battle. This practice, which began in round 17 of the LPBank V.League 2024/25, aims to provide a fair and unbiased perspective in matches that carry immense importance for the teams involved.
The match between Hanoi Police FC and Hanoi FC will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about fixtures of the season, as both teams are in the thick of the competition. Hanoi Police FC, under the guidance of Coach Alexandre Polking, will be looking to assert their dominance, while Hanoi FC will aim to continue their push for the top spots. With both teams having a significant following and fierce rivalry, the officiating by these experienced South Korean referees adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to what promises to be a thrilling derby.
As the season enters its final stages, every match is crucial, and this encounter is no exception. The presence of FIFA referees will not only ensure that the match is officiated to the highest standards but will also provide a sense of fairness and transparency that fans expect in such a high-profile contest.
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