Coach Polking issued a warning to Hanoi Police FC after their crushing 6-1 victory over Tampines Rovers.
Following their 6-1 thrashing of Tampines Rovers in the ASEAN Club Championship, coach Alexandre Polking praised his reserve players but urged them not to be complacent when they face them again in the AFC Cup.
Hanoi Police Football Club recently concluded their ASEAN Club Championship group stage campaign with a dominant 6-1 victory over Tampines Rovers. Although the match was merely a formality, their performance at Hang Day Stadium sent a strong message about the depth of their squad ahead of crucial challenges in the continental competition.
Demonstrating strength through squad depth.
In an experimental decision, coach Alexandre Polking made a significant squad rotation. Key players were benched, making way for players who rarely start, such as Minh Phúc, Lý Đức, Hoàng Văn Toản, and goalkeeper Vũ Thành Vinh.
Responding to the coaching staff's expectations, the players, dubbed "reserve players," showcased a fiery attacking style. Scoring six goals against the Singaporean team not only secured three points but also demonstrated that the skill gap between the main and reserve squads of the Police team is gradually narrowing.
A stern warning ahead of the AFC Champions League Two.
Speaking after the match, coach Alexandre Polking praised his players' attitude. He emphasized his satisfaction at seeing players who don't usually play regularly still maintain their form and good connection on the field. However, the German strategist immediately brought the players back down to earth with a stern warning.
"If you make the mistake of thinking that next week will be the same, we will face a big problem. The next match is a completely different story, a different historical context," Coach Polking asserted. He feared that the excessive euphoria after a resounding victory could lead to unnecessary complacency.
A packed schedule and a priority on continental competitions.
The warning from the former Thailand national team coach is entirely justified, as Hanoi Police will have to face Tampines Rovers two more times in the AFC Champions League Two Round of 16 on February 11th and 18th. The nature of knockout matches in Asian competitions will undoubtedly be much tougher than in the Southeast Asian Club Championship.
To best prepare for their goal of advancing further in the AFC Champions League Two, Hanoi Police FC has officially requested a postponement of their match against SHB Da Nang in Round 13 of the V-League. This decision demonstrates the team's great ambition to assert the position of Vietnamese football on the regional and continental map.
