Coach Polking: “Quang Hai did not play against Taipo to preserve his fitness for the national team.”

The Vietnamese champions bounced back strongly after a less impressive opening round, delivering a dominant performance at home. Hanoi Police FC took full control of the game and secured a crucial victory, with striker China shining as the star of the night by scoring twice before winger Phan Van Duc sealed the win with a composed finish in the 89th minute. The result gave the team their first three points in Group E and renewed their hopes of advancing to the next round.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Coach Polking analyzed the performance in detail: “Tai Po started the game quite well; they had two notable chances early on, but we were lucky not to concede. After that, we managed to take control of the match and dictate the rhythm. I’m very happy with the result, the performance, and the spirit of unity from the whole team. Everyone played with discipline and commitment.”

The German-Brazilian tactician also took time to highlight the contribution of striker China, who wore the No.30 shirt and produced a standout display: “I’m very pleased with China’s performance tonight. Just like Nam Dinh, we face challenges in selecting players when competing in three different tournaments. At the international level, I always try to boost my players’ mentality, and they are maintaining good physical condition. China has been training very hard and consistently improving, so this brace is a well-deserved reward for his efforts.”

Polking then clarified the situation surrounding Quang Hai, whose absence drew attention from both fans and media. “Quang Hai is still recovering from the injury he picked up in the previous match,” the coach explained. “I talked with him before the game and told him that if the situation was already favorable, he should rest to recover fully. It’s important to give opportunities to other players as well. Quang Hai will need to preserve his fitness for the national team because Vietnam will soon face Nepal in two important international matches. As everyone knows, he is a key player for both club and country.”

Joining Coach Polking at the press conference was Brazilian striker Leo Artur, who despite not finding the net in recent matches, remained positive about the team’s progress. When asked if he felt disappointed, he replied: “Not at all. The most important thing for me is the team’s result and overall performance. I’ve been scoring regularly in the V.League 1, and I know the goals will come again soon. What truly matters is that we keep winning and performing well as a team.”

With this victory, Hanoi Police FC not only secured an important boost in confidence but also sent a clear message about their ambitions in the AFC Champions League Two. The win eased pressure on Coach Polking and his squad, who now look ahead to maintaining their strong momentum in both domestic and continental competitions.