Indonesian player provokes after 0-3 loss to Vietnam at Merdeka Cup 2026

Within the framework of the Merdeka Cup 2026 in Malaysia, the Vietnam national team achieved an impressive 3-0 victory over Indonesia. However, after the match, an off-field incident attracted public attention. Vietnamese player Nguyen Van Hung was said to have made a provocative celebration and statement, asking: 'Who is the king?'. In response, Indonesian player Budi Santoso replied: 'But who is the real king?' and mimicked Hung's celebration. It was known that Indonesia was missing many key players due to injuries and other reasons, which partly explained the 0-3 defeat. The incident prompted the Indonesian Football Federation to remind Santoso to limit arguments in the press. Public opinion in both countries reacted differently, while regional Southeast Asian media exploited the incident, increasing tensions in the football relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia. Although Indonesia won the Merdeka Cup 2026, the 0-3 defeat to Vietnam remained significant. The incident demonstrated the fierce competition between the two leading football nations in the region.