Two FIFA-accredited Malaysian referees have been appointed to officiate the highly anticipated match between Hanoi FC and Thanh Hoa in Round 17 of the LPBank V-League 2024/25, set to kick off at 7:15 PM on April 6.

Mohamad Kamil Zakaria Bin Ismail will serve as the match referee, while Razlan Joffri Bin Ali will operate the VAR room. Both are experienced officials who have previously officiated matches in Vietnam's top-tier league.

Referee Razlan Joffri Bin Ali officiated two matches during the 2023 V-League season, including Thanh Hoa vs. Ho Chi Minh City (Round 7, Phase 1) and SHB Da Nang vs. Binh Duong (Round 1, Phase 2).

Meanwhile, referee Bin Ismail took charge of the 2023/24 playoff match between Ha Tinh and PVF-CAND, in which Ha Tinh secured a dramatic victory to remain in the 2024/25 V-League.

The clash between Hanoi FC and Thanh Hoa holds significant implications in the title race. Hanoi FC currently sits third on the table with 27 points, trailing league leaders Thep Xanh Nam Dinh by four points. Thanh Hoa is just behind in fourth place with 26 points.

Sources confirm that VPF (Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company) will continue to invite foreign referees to officiate high-stakes matches - especially those influencing the championship and relegation battles - in the final stages of the season.

Dai Nam