Vietnam’s 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in Hanoi on Wednesday night sparked both joy and ire on social media, with fans happy for the win but upset and embarrassed over a goalpost malfunction.
The Black and Yellows, who finished second in Germany’s Bundesliga for the 2021-22 season, took the lead in the 13th minute thanks to a goal by Dutch forward Donyell Malen.
Vietnam equalized the match when Nguyen Tien Linh found the net in the 36th minute.
The Golden Stars then took the lead when Pham Tuan Hai converted a penalty in the last official minute of play after Soumaïla Coulibaly fouled Vu Van Thanh inside the box.
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| Borussia Dortmund’s goalkeeper Alexander Meyer tries to fix the crossbar during their friendly game with Vietnam at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, November 30, 2022. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre |
The game, which was part of the German runner-ups’ 10-day tour in Southeast Asia, took place at My Dinh National Stadium, which has a capacity of 40,192 and has hosted many major football and athletics events.
My Dinh was also the main venue for the Southeast Asian Games in May this year after undergoing a VND408-billion (US$16.6 million) revamp.
Despite improvements to the stadium, the crossbar of the goal on Borussia Dortmund’s side was knocked off its position when Vietnam were given a penalty shot in the 86th minute of play.
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| A staff member fixes Borussia Dortmund’s crossbar during their friendly game with Vietnam at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, November 30, 2022. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre |
After goalkeeper Alexander Meyer tried his best to put the crossbar back but failed, a staff member ran out to the field with a folding ladder and fixed it as the players and coaches of both teams watched in dismay.
Prior to the incident, wind blew roofs off the dugouts in both teams’ technical areas, as well as the referee’s area.
Several staff members had to stand in the rain and hold the dugouts with their hands in order to prevent the facilities from falling down again.
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| A dugout is blown off during the friendly game between Vietnam and Borussia Dortmund at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, November 30, 2022. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre |
Many spectators ridiculed these incidents and criticized that the quality of My Dinh, a national stadium, as subpar compared to that of many Vietnamese football clubs’ home fields.
Though upset that the game’s organizing board had not made better preparations, Vietnam’s head coach Park Hang Seo, who will step down from the position soon, said that he was satisfied with the 2-1 victory.
The friendly match was meant as a test for his players ahead of the 2022 AFF Championship, which will take place in ten Southeast Asian host cities from December 20 to January 16, 2023.
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