Coach Mano Polking: CAHN is not allowed to lose to Buriram.
Ahead of the rematch against Buriram on December 3rd at their opponent's home ground, coach Mano Polking described the Shopee Cup Group A battle as a do-or-die situation, with CAHN having 3 points and Buriram 2 points.
It's a do-or-die situation. That's how coach Mano Polking described Hanoi Police FC's away match against Buriram United on December 3rd in Group A of the Shopee Cup 2025/26. After the first two matches, Hanoi Police FC has 3 points while Buriram has 2 points, and only the top two teams in the group will advance.
“What makes this match really interesting is that we know one of the two teams will be ‘finished off’ at the end,” said Polking. “We hope it won’t be us because Buriram also had a bad start like us. They have two points, we have three. Only two teams advance to the next round, so I believe neither team can afford to lose this match.”
Recreating the dramatic final after 6 months
In May, Polking's CAHN lost to Buriram United on penalties after a spectacular comeback that ended in a 5-5 draw. That final concluded the inaugural Shopee Cup season with a dramatic ending. Six months later, the two teams met again at Buriram's home ground, both having had shaky starts in the group stage this season.
The pressure is shared equally, but the homeowner bears a heavier burden.
Polking candidly pointed out the context: “There’s a lot of pressure on both sides, but perhaps a little more pressure on them because they’re playing at home. They’re the champions, the top contenders, but we’ve also reached the final and played two good games against them. I expect a very tense match, a very tough game between two good teams. I also hope they’ll fill the stadium again.”
The situation in Group A: every point is a matter of life or death.
The start of CAHN and Buriram shows that the margin of error is no longer significant:
- CAHN lost to BG Pathum United in their opening match, before winning 1-0 against DH Cebu with a late winning goal in the second round.
- Buriram drew with Selangor FC and BG Pathum United FC, leaving them one point behind CAHN halfway through the group stage.
- Only the top two teams qualify for the semi-finals, making the direct confrontation a turning point in the group.
A strategic perspective: the line between not losing and daring to win.
Polking's message of "no losing allowed" reflects the pragmatic situation in Group A. With a one-point gap and a tense head-to-head history, the game could revolve around a low-risk strategy, prioritizing certainty and waiting for the decisive moment. Given that Buriram is playing at home and is labeled the "champion, top contender," the pressure to attack proactively is likely to be on their side, while CAHN has reason to be patient, waiting for opportunities to capitalize on their opponent's mistakes.
Nevertheless, the 5-5 record in the final shows that both teams possess the ability to explode in crucial moments. The difference lies in the strategy: preserving the chance to advance with a point-scoring result, or accepting the risk to determine their own fate. That very boundary will determine the pace, the spacing of the players, and the level of risk taken in the final plays.
Key milestones before kick-off.
- Time and location: CAHN will play away against Buriram United on December 3rd.
- Current standings: CAHN 3 points/2 matches; Buriram 2 points/2 matches.
- Tickets to the next round: Only the top two teams from Group A will advance to the semi-finals.
- Psychological context: CAHN lost to Buriram on penalties after a 5-5 aggregate score last season, creating a motivation for revenge; the home team also carries the pressure of audience expectations.
Coach Mano Polking himself described the match as a "decisive" game for one side. With a close scoreline and a history of dramatic encounters, the 90 minutes at Buriram's home ground promised to be a test of character — where the team that manages the pressure better will have a crucial advantage in Group A.
