Coach Vu Tien Thanh defended Ly Duc, saying it was shocking that all the blame couldn't be placed on his student.

Following the unfortunate red card in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup semi-final against China, Pham Ly Duc's name suddenly became the hottest keyword on social media forums.

Amidst the wave of controversy, coach Vu Tien Thanh has spoken out, revealing the hidden pressures behind the scenes that few understand.

The focal point of the controversies.

The semi-final match of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship not only ended in a defeat but also left a bitter taste in the mouth with the red card shown to center-back Pham Ly Duc. Immediately after this incident, the young player from HAGL faced a barrage of criticism from fans. Hot tempers on the field are often a double-edged sword in the eyes of the public, and Ly Duc is now bearing the brunt of public opinion.

However, is it fair to place all the blame on a young player? From a professional perspective and with the empathy of a mentor, Coach Vu Tien Thanh offered insightful analysis to defend his former pupil.

"The fault doesn't lie entirely with Ly Duc."

Speaking to the media, coach Vu Tien Thanh affirmed: "For me, Ly Duc always plays with the spirit of a warrior. He received a red card, but it cannot be said that it was entirely Ly Duc's fault."

According to Mr. Thanh, the red card was merely the "last straw" in a harsh situation. Consider the events: the Vietnam U23 team had just conceded a third goal (although VAR later disallowed it), and the entire team was in a state of extreme disappointment and tension. In particular, the "steel shield" Nguyen Hieu Minh – the most effective partner for Ly Duc – had to leave the field early due to injury.

After losing his close teammate, Ly Duc became the last line of defense, possessing the ideal physique for aerial duels. He alone had to shoulder the pressure of the entire defense against the relentless attacks of the opposing team. This loneliness and psychological overload were the "triggers" that led to his unfortunate mistake.

The problem of "overload" and lack of depth.

Coach Vu Tien Thanh frankly pointed out a systemic rather than individual problem: the Vietnam U23 team is severely lacking in squad depth. The three main central defenders have been playing continuously at high intensity without effective rotation options.

Statistics show that, before the semi-final match, Xiaoming and Li De were the top defensive duo in the tournament with a record number of header clearances (20 and 18 respectively). Playing so many matches not only wore down Xiaoming's physical condition – leading to injury – but also diminished Li De's alertness. When the body is tired, hot heads are more likely to appear.

From NutiFood Academy to HAGL's "Warriors"

Looking back at Pham Ly Duc's journey, one can truly appreciate this young man's determination. Coming from the NutiFood Academy and struggling in the First Division, Duc only truly rose to prominence when he was discovered by coach Vu Tien Thanh and brought to HAGL.

Under Coach Thanh's guidance, Ly Duc transformed into a "steel" center-back, conquering various levels of the national team from U22, U23 to the Vietnamese senior national team. His greatest strength is not just his physique, but his fiery fighting spirit and willingness to engage in physical challenges – the qualities of a true warrior.

"The referee's decision can be debated, but I affirm that Ly Duc's desire and fighting spirit are undeniable," Mr. Thanh emphasized.

The semi-final defeat and Ly Duc's red card were a costly lesson, but also a reflection of the harsh reality of top-level football. Instead of criticism, perhaps we should be more fair in recognizing the efforts of these young players who are burdened with the expectations of the entire nation under immense pressure.

For Ly Duc, this red card might be a scar, but for a "warrior," a scar can sometimes make them more resilient and determined in the future.

Ly Duc receives a heavy penalty, must undergo doping tests, and appears to be in shock after the loss. An Nhiên16:13:27 22/01/2026The direct red card in the semi-final match against China U23 not only eliminated Vietnam U23 but also put the 2003-born player at risk of receiving a heavy penalty from the AFC, jeopardizing his future at the national team level.