Derby villain Tan faces lengthy ban

• Source: Global Times
• [23:45 June 14 2009]
• Comments

By Wang Wei and Peter Simpson

Beijing’s William Paul vies for the ball with Tianjin’s Eber Luis (top) during their CSL clash yesterday. Photo: CFP

Tianjin Taida bad boy Tan Wangsong is facing serious disciplinary action for his disgraceful challenge on Beijing Gouan keeper Yang Zhi during Saturday's Chinese Super League grudge match.

The 23-year-old can at best expect a lengthy suspension when the Chinese Football Association Disciplinary Committee sits to examine video footage of the tackle this week.

Keeper Yang was stretched off in agony to hospital as Tan was summarily dispatched to the dressing room after being shown a straight red card by referee Wan Daxue.

Tan, a serial red-carder, will find it hard to defend his latest thuggish behavior. A goal down for most of the match with minutes remaining, he was sent through into Beijing's penalty area by winger Hao Junmin.

With the defense flatfooted, he dashed in on the loose ball, but keeper Yang anticipated its trajectory well and gathered the ball firmly after rushing off his line.

What happened next was sheer madness. Tan, in a fit of frustration, lashed out violently with a flying kung fu kick, catching Yang's thigh square near the knee, sending the keeper to the floor and into spasms of agony.

Tianjin supporters present among the 50, 000 crowd would have been hard pushed to display sympathy for their player, who seems to relish his reputation as the hard man of Chinese football. He was sent off at last year's Olympics after he kicked a Belgium player maliciously in the crotch. He was immediately sent packing from the squad.