Coach Polking defends Nguyen Filip despite the goalkeeper’s mistake in the 4-4 draw between Hanoi Police FC and Quang Nam. In the February 15th match at Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi Police FC extended their winless streak to three matches in the V-League 2024-2025.
Though the Hanoi club battled back three times to take the lead, Quang Nam responded each time, eventually leading 4-3. Only a dramatic equalizing goal in stoppage time by Alan Grafite salvaged a draw for Hanoi Police FC, allowing them to take home one point. “We made mistakes, losing possession in unnecessary situations. We scored four goals but couldn’t win,” said Coach Alexandre Polking after the match. “Every team can lose points. I trust all my players 100%. We must look at how we allowed them to play freely and will make adjustments for the future. We will come back stronger.”
Goalkeeper Nguyen Filip was notably criticized after he failed to secure the ball during a second-half clearance, allowing Quang Nam to equalize at 3-3. However, Coach Polking was quick to defend the goalkeeper: “Nguyen Filip is still an excellent goalkeeper. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is his mindset, focusing, and fighting spirit. I won’t judge him based on a few errors.” Additionally, the former Thailand national team coach pointed out the positives in the game, including the return of Alan Grafite, who scored an important goal. “This is a disappointing result, but we will review the situations. The road ahead is long, and there are still opportunities for CAHN.” With 17 points from 12 matches, Hanoi Police FC sits 7th in the standings, trailing the top-ranked Nam Dinh by seven points. for 10 seconds
Although Hanoi Police FC – managed to extend their unbeaten run in the 2024–2025 V-League to three matches, the game was a rollercoaster of emotions for the home side. Hanoi Police FC had surged to a 3–0 lead on three separate occasions, but Quang Nam fought back to take a 4–3 advantage before Alan Grafite’s vital stoppage-time equalizer secured a single point.
Coach Polking acknowledged the shortcomings in his team’s performance. “We made mistakes, losing the ball in unnecessary situations. Despite scoring four goals, we couldn’t secure the win. Every team can lose points,” he stated after the match. Polking, who has previously enjoyed success with the Thailand national team, emphasized his complete trust in his players. “I still have 100% trust in my squad. We allowed our errors to give the opponents too much freedom, and we will make the necessary changes to come back stronger,” he added.
One of the key moments came in the second half when goalkeeper Nguyen Filip, born in 1992, allowed the ball to slip during a crucial play, gifting Quang Nam the opportunity to level the score at 3–3. Despite this mistake, Polking was quick to defend his player. “Nguyen Filip is still a great goalkeeper. Anyone can make mistakes. What matters is his mindset, concentration, and fighting spirit. I won’t judge a player solely on a few errors,” he remarked, urging his team to learn from the experience.
The match was hard-fought from start to finish, with both sides exchanging leads and demonstrating attacking prowess. Statistics revealed that Hanoi Police FC managed to produce 11 shots compared to Quang Nam’s 4, although the latter’s defense managed to capitalize on Hanoi Police FC’s lapses at crucial moments. The game ultimately ended in a dramatic draw, but the result left CAHN languishing in seventh place with 17 points, trailing league leaders Nam Dinh by 7 points.
Coach Polking also highlighted the positive aspects of the game, noting that Alan Grafite’s comeback goal, which leveled the score late in the match, showed that his team still had the ability to respond under pressure. “This is a disappointing result overall, but we will analyze the match and learn from our mistakes,” he concluded. With the long season ahead, Hanoi Police FC remains determined to improve and push for higher positions in the league standings, learning valuable lessons from tonight’s high-scoring contest.
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