Hanoi, 11 February 2026 – Midfield captain Nguyen Quang Hai of Hanoi Police FC has revealed that this marks the third time he will celebrate Lunar New Year away from his family — a situation filled with emotions that are difficult to fully put into words.
“It’s not the second but the third time I’ve celebrated Tet away from home. There are many feelings that are hard to describe. Still, it’s also a memorable experience for the players,” Quang Hai shared.
He expressed hope that the team could turn the sacrifice into motivation. “Spending Tet far from home makes us even more determined to achieve the best possible result. That would be our way of welcoming the new year and starting it with positivity and success.”
According to the official schedule announced by the Asian Football Confederation, the second leg of the Round of 16 in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 between Tampines Rovers FC and Hanoi Police FC will take place at 7:15 p.m. on February 18 at Bishan Stadium in Singapore. The date coincides with the second day of the Lunar New Year, meaning Quang Hai and his teammates will once again miss the precious moments of reunion with their families.
Understanding the emotional toll on his squad, head coach Alexandre Polking offered words of empathy and encouragement. “Tet is extremely important in Vietnamese culture. The players are making sacrifices for the club’s objectives, and they deserve recognition for their professionalism,” Polking said. He added that although part of him feels for the players who wish to be with their loved ones, another part reminds him that representing Vietnam on an important continental stage is both a duty and an honor.
This is not the first time Quang Hai and teammates like Doan Van Hau, Phan Van Duc, and Bui Hoang Viet Anh have spent Tet on the pitch. They previously faced China with the national team on the first day of Lunar New Year in 2022.
On February 11, Quang Hai delivered a brace to power Hanoi Police FC to a commanding 4–0 victory over Tampines Rovers in the first leg, giving his side a significant advantage ahead of the return match in Singapore.
Pham Minh
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