Tan Sinh's repeated kicks and the boundaries Vietnamese football cannot erase

On the evening of September 20, at Dong Nai Stadium, Cong An Ha Noi beat hosts Dong Nai City 3-0 in round 3 of V-League 2026-2027. But the match was remembered not only for the away side's victory, but also for a controversial incident in the 78th minute. Replays show Dong Nai defender Huynh Tan Sinh repeatedly kicking Dinh Bac from behind. Dinh Bac was holding the ball in midfield, and Tan Sinh rushed in with two consecutive kicks to the forward's legs, causing the 22-year-old to collapse. The referee only showed a yellow card, a decision immediately questioned. Earlier, the game turned heated in the 16th minute when Dong Nai's Van Son was sent off for a punch on Dinh Bac. Playing with ten men, the hosts never recovered. Cong An Ha Noi controlled the game and sealed three goals. At 3-0, the match should have ended quietly, but Tan Sinh's challenge triggered a new controversy. The first kick might be read as a late tackle, but the second kick, when Dinh Bac was already off balance, was indefensible. When a player has already fallen, striking his shin is not a football challenge. It becomes retaliation, not defending. Fans were furious not only at the challenge but at the lack of respect for a colleague's safety. In a game already decided, with the home side down to ten men and losing 0-3, such a kick creates a serious injury risk. Dinh Bac was lucky not to suffer ligament or bone damage. Vietnamese football has seen violent incidents before, but the issue is not just an apology. The problem lies in the disciplinary system. Under Law 12 of the Laws of the Game, dangerous play and violent conduct should be punished with a red card. VAR exists to help, but it was not used in a situation that clearly required review. Some argue Dinh Bac provoked the hosts. He had already been punched in the 16th minute and continued to trouble defenders. But football has laws, and no provocation justifies violent conduct. A technical player being skillful is not an excuse for kicking him. Tan Sinh is not unknown in Vietnamese football. Born in 2026, he played for Vietnam's U20 and U23 teams, winning a SEA Games 2026 gold medal. He won V-League titles with Ha Noi FC, Cong An Ha Noi, and Quang Nam. Yet a defender's career is not measured only by trophies. Violent moments like this will define him in another way. On social media, supporters called for a heavy penalty. One wrote: "Tan Sinh, why are you so cruel to your colleague? You must respect his legs." Another said: "This is too ugly and unacceptable. This is deliberately destroying an opponent." Such comments show that fans understand the line between passion and violence. The Vietnam Football Federation needs to act quickly. If no punishment follows, players will think they can escape violent conduct when the referee misses it. The disciplinary committee must review the video and issue a strong ban. At the same time, the referee's performance should also be assessed. Tan Sinh was once a promising center-back, but his career has been unstable. Playing for Dong Nai, he seemed lost in the pressure of a losing match. Sympathy for a struggling player cannot become an excuse for dangerous behavior. Cong An Ha Noi took three important points. Dong Nai sank deeper into difficulty, not just because of the loss but because of the image damage. In a long season, wins and defeats fade, but memories of a violent foul can linger. Vietnamese football needs a culture of discipline. Without it, the echo of those kicks will outlast the match, and the whole system will be weakened.