Tampines Rovers coach praised CAHN's consistent strength after their 0-4 defeat.
While admitting he was not surprised by the defeat at Hang Day Stadium, coach Mohamed Noh Rahman praised the cohesion and quality of the Hanoi Police FC squad.
The 0-4 defeat against Hanoi Police FC (CAHN) in the AFC Champions League Two Round of 16 on February 11th has narrowed Tampines Rovers' chances of advancing to the next round. However, coach Mohamed Noh Rahman believes the scoreline doesn't fully reflect the efforts of the Singaporean team, especially in the second half.
Regret over missed opportunities
This is the second time in a short period that Tampines Rovers have suffered a heavy defeat against CAHN. Previously, the team from Singapore lost 1-6 in the ASEAN Club Championship. However, coach Mohamed Noh Rahman affirmed that this performance at Hang Day Stadium showed more positive signs in terms of playing style.
The Tampines Rovers manager shared at the press conference:"We played much better in the second half and showed our true colors. The team created clear chances but unfortunately couldn't convert them into goals."He emphasized that if they could score against their opponents, the mindset for the second leg would be completely different.
I was impressed by the systematic approach of the Vietnamese representatives.
Despite suffering a heavy defeat, the Tampines Rovers manager remained calm in the face of their opponent's strength. He stated that at the knockout stage of a continental competition, facing quality teams like CAHN was a predictable challenge.
"In fact, I wasn't surprised at all to have to face a strong team like Hanoi Police FC. At the level of the round of 16, there are no easy challenges," coach Mohamed Noh Rahman admitted.
In particular, the strategist praised CAHN's cohesion rather than focusing solely on individual stars: "What impressed me most about the opponent wasn't the brilliance of a few individuals, but the consistent quality of the entire squad. They are truly a unified force that is very difficult to beat."
Tampines Rovers now have a week to fine-tune their aim and improve their finishing. According to the schedule, the second leg between the two teams will take place on February 18th, where the Singaporean side will need an improbable scenario to turn the tables.
