DOHA: Malaysian referee Nazmi Nasaruddin, taking charge of his first Asian Cup match, didn't hesitate to use his red card.
He sent off Vietnam's Khuat Van Khang during a Group D match against Iraq at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Wednesday.
Van Khang had to leave the field after being flashed a second yellow card by Nazmi for a foul on Merchas Doski towards the end of the first half.
But Vietnamese fans were not amused by Nazmi's decision.
Despite being down to 10 men, Vietnam put up a gallant fight against Iraq and lost 3-2.
Nazmi also awarded world No. 63 Iraq a penalty after reviewing the VAR in an incident involving Bui Hoang Viet Anh's charge on Youssef Amyn. But, Aymen Hussein failed to convert the spot kick.
During injury time, Nazmi awarded yet another penalty to Iraq and this time Aymen converted it to give the 2007 Asian Cup champions a win.
This isn't the first time Vietnam were "beaten" by a penalty. They lost 1-0 to Indonesia after a penalty was awarded against them (converted by Asnawmi Mangkualam) in a group match last week.