Hanoi, 23 September, 2025 – Goalkeeper Nguyen Filip has come under scrutiny after costly errors in recent international matches left Hanoi Police FC struggling at the start of their continental campaigns.
In the AFC Champions League Two opener away to Beijing Guoan, Filip’s mistake directly led to a goal that forced Hanoi Police FC to settle for a 2-2 draw despite playing well for long stretches. A week earlier in the ASEAN Club Championship, the Vietnamese club suffered a heartbreaking 1-2 defeat against Thailand’s Pathum United, when Filip’s misplaced clearance in stoppage time allowed Chanathip Songkrasin to score from near midfield and seal a comeback for the hosts.
The back-to-back lapses have piled pressure on the Vietnam international, who will again be in the spotlight when Hanoi Police FC host Cebu FC of the Philippines in their second ASEAN Club Championship group-stage match at Hang Day Stadium tomorrow evening (September 24, 7:30 p.m.).
Head coach Alexandre Polking acknowledged the recent mistakes but offered his full backing to Filip. “I spent time talking with Filip and giving him advice. I have no doubt he is our number one. He is at the highest level, no question. But at times he loses concentration and it costs us results. We must improve this,” Polking said in his pre-match press conference.
Both Hanoi Police FC and Cebu are desperate for points after losing their openers. While Polking’s men went down 1-2 to Pathum, Cebu fell 1-3 to Tampines Rovers of Singapore. The German-Brazilian coach underlined the importance of tomorrow’s encounter: “Our only goal is three points. Cebu are a strong team with good local players and foreign signings, but we know their strengths and we are ready. Both teams need points after losing their first match, so it will be a difficult game. We must be more clinical in finishing and sharper in key moments.”
On the domestic front, Hanoi Police FC are flying high in V.League 1 with 10 points from four matches, sitting second on the table. But their international form has been less convincing, with no victories from two continental fixtures. The tendency to concede late goals has also become a concern, with the team letting in strikes in the closing minutes against Hai Phong, Hanoi FC, and Pathum United.
Polking, however, downplayed the issue. “In the V.League matches against Hai Phong and Hanoi we still won, and that is the most important thing. Against Beijing Guoan we lost concentration and dropped points. International competition is always valuable because our players face strong opponents. We want to be present consistently and go deep in these tournaments,” he emphasized.
For the Cebu clash, Hanoi Police FC will be without Quang Hai, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, and Adou Minh, but Polking remains confident: “We have a strong squad and the new signings are adapting well. We trust them to deliver.”
With Hang Day Stadium having been a fortress last season, where the club went unbeaten, Hanoi Police FC will hope to rediscover their form and revive their continental campaign with a crucial victory.
Hong Phuc
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