Hanoi, 2 October 2025 – Hanoi Police FC delivered a commanding performance to secure a 3-0 win over Hong Kong’s Tai Po in their second Group E match of the AFC Champions League Two, played at Hang Day Stadium on October 2. The result lifted the Vietnamese side to the top of the standings with four points after two matches.
After a disappointing 2-2 draw away to Beijing Guoan in the opener, coach Alexandre Polking’s men entered the match with clear intent to claim all three points. Tai Po, buoyed by their shock 2-1 victory over MacArthur of Australia in the first round, only needed a draw to stay above their Vietnamese rivals. But Hanoi Police FC’s superior quality quickly dictated the tempo.
From the outset, the home side pressed forward aggressively with their attacking stars Vitao, Stefan Mauk, Alan Grafite, Rogerio Alves, and Leo Artur combining effectively. The return of Grafite provided balance and support for Artur, with the duo proving pivotal in breaking down Tai Po’s defense.
The breakthrough arrived in the 27th minute. Nguyen Van Do surged down the right flank and delivered a low cross into the box. Rogerio Alves’s strike deflected off a defender before nestling into the net, giving Hanoi Police FC the deserved lead.
Only five minutes later, Rogerio showcased his sharp positioning once again. Meeting a well-weighted cross from Leo Artur, the Brazilian calmly finished from close range to double the advantage. With a 2-0 cushion heading into halftime, Hanoi Police FC controlled proceedings with confidence.
After the break, the hosts shifted gears, allowing Tai Po more possession while threatening on the counter. In the 62nd minute, Vitao dispossessed an opponent and surged forward into space, but his ambitious shot went narrowly wide when a pass might have been the better option.
Despite multiple chances to extend the scoreline, Hanoi Police FC’s forwards were wasteful. Grafite’s powerful header in the 73rd minute struck the crossbar, while Leo Artur saw a long-range strike drift off target.
It wasn’t until the 89th minute that the third goal finally arrived. Artur curled in a pinpoint cross, Grafite nodded it across the face of goal, and Phan Van Duc reacted quickest to slot home, sealing a convincing 3-0 victory for the Vietnamese side.
Elsewhere in Group E, MacArthur revived their campaign with a resounding 3-0 win over Beijing Guoan. The results mean Hanoi Police FC now sit top of the group with four points, followed by Tai Po (three points) and MacArthur (three points, behind on head-to-head), while Beijing Guoan prop up the table with just one point.
Hanoi Police FC will remain at Hang Day for their next continental fixture, hosting MacArthur on October 23 in what could prove a decisive clash for qualification.
Hong Phuc
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