The Vietnamese national team defender had to play with a bandaged head but still excellently shut down the 1.96m tall striker from Indonesia.

Center-back Bui Hoang Viet Anh put on a brave display in Vietnam's 3-0 win against Indonesia during the ASEAN Cup 2026 Group A fixture on the night of August 3 at the Pakansari ground.

Despite suffering a torn eyelid and heavy bleeding after a strong collision, the 1999-born defender returned to the pitch after being bandaged, playing a key role in keeping a clean sheet for his team.

The incident occurred in the 27th minute when Bui Hoang Viet Anh jumped high to contest an aerial ball with Indonesia's striker Mitchell Baker, who stands at 1.96m. After the clash, the Vietnamese center-back clutched his face in pain and collapsed onto the field. The sight of his torn eyelid with blood streaming down his face worried many fans. The referee immediately stopped the match to allow medical staff to provide first aid on the pitch.

Bui Hoang Viet Anh had to play with a bandaged head - Screenshot

After having the bleeding stopped and his head wrapped, Bui Hoang Viet Anh continued playing instead of leaving the field. This decision demonstrated the strong fighting spirit of the Hanoi Police Club defender, especially as Vietnam needed to maintain solidity against pressure from the home side.

Not only did he impress with his fighting will, Bui Hoang Viet Anh also excelled in his professional duties. According to statistics, he played 81 minutes before being substituted by Van Hau. The center-back won 4 out of 5 duels (80%), including a perfect 3/3 ground duels and 2/3 tackles. He made 5 clearances, 1 block, and was never dribbled past by an opponent.

In terms of ball distribution, Bui Hoang Viet Anh completed 22 out of 28 passes (79% accuracy), including 3 forward passes. Although he did not create goal-scoring opportunities, his performance was crucial in helping Vietnam's defense hold firm.

Notably, Bui Hoang Viet Anh's task was to mark Mitchell Baker, the striker who had scored 4 goals in the first two matches and was leading the ASEAN Cup 2026 Golden Boot race. Despite his superior height and impressive aerial ability, Baker was largely neutralized by the determined marking of the Vietnamese defender.

The 3-0 victory was completed with goals from Van Vi, Hai Long, and Nguyen Xuan Son. While the attack shone, Bui Hoang Viet Anh's gritty performance became one of the most memorable highlights of the match, helping Vietnam keep a clean sheet and move to the top of Group A.