Coach Polking admitted a painful lesson after the loss to Tampines

After losing 1-3 to Tampines Rovers in the second leg and being knocked out with an overall score of 1-6, Coach Polking admitted that CAHN went through a “major and painful lesson” at the AFC Champions League Two.

The journey of Hanoi Police Club at the AFC Champions League Two 2025/2026 officially ended following the defeat at Tampines Rovers on the evening of February 18. Facing many disadvantages, Coach Polking’s team could not mount the comeback they hoped for and had to accept a regrettable exit.

Before the second leg, CAHN found themselves in a difficult position when the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ruled a 0-3 loss for the first leg due to a player regulation violation. This meant their 4-0 home win at Hang Day Stadium on February 11 was invalidated, forcing the Vietnamese side to chase a large deficit on Singaporean soil.

Psychological pressure quickly surrounded the visitors. Although they started proactively, CAHN failed to convert chances into goals in the first half. Conversely, Tampines Rovers capitalized well and scored first in the 36th minute through Hide Higashikawa. In the second half, the home team extended their lead with Higashikawa’s second goal in the 60th minute and Trent Buhagiar’s strike in the 79th. CAHN only managed a consolation penalty goal by Alan in the 77th minute, accepting a 1-3 defeat and elimination with a 1-6 aggregate after two legs.

After the match, Coach Polking did not hide his disappointment: “We entered the game with great determination, fully aware of how tough the situation was. The players knew they had to score multiple goals and take risks. But when down to 10 men, nearly all plans collapsed. At this level, playing with fewer players against a team with a psychological advantage is extremely disadvantageous.”

The Brazilian coach also openly addressed the impact of the AFC’s decision: “I don’t want to blame anyone, but clearly the result recognized before the match completely changed the situation. We went from leading 4-0 to having to chase a 4-goal deficit. That affected our approach to the game, the players’ confidence, and their mental state.”

Despite the disappointing outcome, Coach Polking encouraged his players: “I told the players to hold their heads high. They fought until the very last minute, even when everything was against them. Football can be cruel sometimes, and this is a big and painful lesson for us — both in terms of sporting performance and adherence to regulations.”. This defeat closes CAHN’s continental dream but also opens important lessons for the road ahead.