The Philippine national team posted shocking comments about the Lao referee, admitting defeat to Vietnam in one aspect!

Manila Montet FC recently caused a stir by posting an admission of defeat to Vietnam on one point, along with shocking comments about the Laotian referee. The Philippine side not only frankly pointed out the referee's mistakes but also expressed admiration for the Vietnamese women's team.

A "slap in the face" from those involved and the looming penalty.

The Vietnamese women's team's defeat against the Philippines was not only painful in terms of the score, but also frustrating when a perfectly valid goal was disallowed due to a mistake by the Laotian assistant referee. Amidst the wave of fan outrage, the official website of Manila Montet FC – a team in the Philippines – shocked the public by posting a statement acknowledging: "The referee's decision changed the game, we all saw that."

The incident was so serious that BallThai Stand reported that referee supervisor Yong Mei Kuei had reported the matter to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The AFC Referee Committee also issued a formal apology to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) for this serious error. Currently, the AFC is considering referring the case to the Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action against the refereeing team that officiated the final match. Furthermore, many Thai fans have criticized the decision, arguing that blaming the lack of VAR technology is merely an excuse, because with such a clear error, the responsibility lies with the incompetence of the entire match management system.

Philippines admits defeat to Vietnam in terms of football identity.

Most notably, Manila Montet FC's self-reflective article observed the reactions of fans in both countries. While millions of Vietnamese fans created a fiery wave of debate, showcasing their passion and enthusiasm, the atmosphere in the Philippines – where they had just won a historic gold medal – was unusually quiet. "The noise in the Philippines is much less. This isn't a criticism, but an observation showing that football culture cannot be built overnight," the team shared.

The Philippines frankly admitted they "lost" to Vietnam in terms of the depth of their football culture. In Vietnam, football is the very breath of life, an emotion nurtured over decades, where every moment can be either painful or exhilarating. Meanwhile, the Philippines, despite winning titles, is still lost on its journey to find a true connection with its fans. This admission serves as a confirmation: A gold medal can be won through luck or referee error, but the identity and burning love of football, like that of the Vietnamese, is something the Philippines still has a very long way to go before it can hope to reach.

A costly lesson about fairness at the SEA Games.

The refereeing scandal at the 33rd SEA Games is a painful "scar" that has crushed the efforts of the Vietnamese women's team. Although the AFC has apologized and is considering disciplinary action, this mistake has tarnished the spirit of fair play. This is a costly lesson about the lack of professionalism in managing regional tournaments. Despite missing out on the championship due to the refereeing tragedy, Vietnamese football has still achieved an absolute victory in terms of pride. It is this fiery identity and the respect from opponents that allows us to hold our heads high on every international stage.

The Lao referee who disallowed a goal for the Vietnamese women's team faced outrage and disappeared overnight! Sông Trăng17:19:40 18/12/2025The SEA Games 33 women's football final erupted in controversy when a Laotian referee was accused of stealing a clear goal from the Vietnamese team. Amidst the extreme outrage from fans, the referee unexpectedly disappeared from social media overnight.