AFC Assigns Malaysian Referees to Vietnam Matches
The Asian Football Confederation has appointed a Malaysian officiating crew for Vietnam's three Casper Cup friendlies in November.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Soccer
The Asian Football Confederation has assigned a Malaysian referee crew to officiate Vietnam's national team matches at the Casper Cup friendly tournament. Mohamad Nawal Bin Mohammad Zubir will serve as head referee for all three fixtures.
Why it matters
Assigning neutral officials to international friendlies is a standard confederation process that helps maintain consistency across the tournament. The appointment places a referee with a documented disciplinary record in charge of matches involving Vietnam, Chinese Taipei and Kyrgyzstan.
The head referee has issued 79 yellow cards, 3 indirect red cards, 4 direct red cards and 11 penalties in his last 18 matches. The extraction does not state how these totals compare with other officials in the region.
The players
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the continental governing body for football in Asia, responsible for organizing competitions including the AFC Asian Cup and assigning match officials.
Mohamad Nawal Bin Mohammad Zubir
Mohamad Nawal Bin Mohammad Zubir is a Malaysian football referee who has officiated domestic and continental matches involving Vietnamese clubs.
The details
The three Casper Cup fixtures take place at Thien Truong Stadium in Ninh Binh province, with Vietnam facing Chinese Taipei on November 11, Chinese Taipei facing Kyrgyzstan on November 14, and Vietnam facing Kyrgyzstan on November 17. Mohamad Nawal Bin Mohammad Zubir, 31, previously officiated a Da Nang versus The Cong Viettel V.League match, and his assistant Mohd Arif Shamil Bin Abd Rasid worked Vietnam's 2023 AFC Asian Cup match against Iraq.
Timeline
November 11, 2026: Vietnam vs. Chinese Taipei at Thien Truong Stadium
November 14, 2026: Chinese Taipei vs. Kyrgyzstan at Thien Truong Stadium
November 17, 2026: Vietnam vs. Kyrgyzstan at Thien Truong Stadium
Season Trajectory
The assignment continues a pattern in which AFC-appointed Malaysian officials have worked Vietnamese national team fixtures, as seen with the 2023 Asian Cup match against Iraq. The Casper Cup friendlies give Vietnam a low-stakes setting to test this crew before the next major continental competitions.
Fans planning to attend the Casper Cup matches in Ninh Binh can note that the referee assignments are now set for all three fixtures. Viewers following Vietnam's November friendlies can also check FPT Play, which has secured exclusive broadcast rights for the tournament.
The takeaway
Referee assignments for international friendlies are announced in advance, so fans and bettors can check officiating records before matches begin. The Casper Cup schedule gives a clear view of Vietnam's November fixtures across three match days.
What happens next
The Casper Cup matches are scheduled for November 11, 14 and 17, 2026 at Thien Truong Stadium in Ninh Binh province.
Further reading
For more on how international fixtures are organized, browse the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by VOV - VOV Online Newspaper.
