Singapore, 18 February 2026 – Coach Mano Polking expressed his disappointment after Hanoi Police FC failed to produce a miracle against Tampines Rovers in the second leg on February 18, bringing their AFC Champions League Two 2025–2026 campaign to an end.
Hanoi Police FC entered the away match in Singapore under extremely difficult circumstances, having already been handed a 0–3 forfeit defeat by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for violating player eligibility regulations. As a result, their original 4–0 victory at Hang Day Stadium on February 11 was nullified, forcing the Vietnamese side into the challenging position of chasing a large deficit from the start.
Despite attempting to play proactively, Hanoi Police FC struggled with psychological pressure and attacking inefficiency throughout the first half. Tampines Rovers capitalized on their opportunity and opened the scoring in the 36th minute through a composed finish from Hide Higashikawa. In the second half, Tampines extended their advantage with two more goals, scored by Higashikawa in the 60th minute and Trent Buhagiar in the 79th minute. Hanoi Police FC managed only a consolation goal from the penalty spot, converted by Alan in the 77th minute, resulting in a 3–1 defeat. The loss confirmed their elimination with a heavy 6–1 aggregate scoreline in favor of Tampines Rovers.
Speaking after the match, Polking did not hide his frustration. “We entered the game with strong determination, even though we knew the situation was extremely difficult. The players understood they needed to score multiple goals and take risks. But after going down to 10 men, our entire plan collapsed. At this level, playing with one fewer player against a confident opponent is a huge disadvantage,” he said.
The Brazilian coach also highlighted the psychological impact of the AFC’s ruling, which officially reversed the first-leg result before kickoff. “I don’t want to blame anyone, but the decision clearly changed everything. We went from leading 4–0 to suddenly needing to score four goals. That affected our approach, our confidence, and the players’ mentality,” Polking explained.
Despite the disappointment, Polking encouraged his players to remain proud. “I told them to keep their heads up. They fought until the very end, even when things were no longer in our favor. Football can be cruel sometimes, and this is a painful but important lesson for us — both on the pitch and in terms of respecting the regulations,” he added.
On the other side, Tampines Rovers’ interim coach Robert Eziakor praised his team’s performance and discipline. “This was a high-pressure match. We knew Hanoi Police FC had many quality players and would attack aggressively. The key was that my players stayed focused and trusted our tactical plan,” he said.
Eziakor emphasized that his team learned from their mistakes in the first leg. “We made many errors in the first match and paid the price. This time, we improved significantly. We defended more compactly, took our chances better, and remained calm under pressure,” he noted.
He also credited the home advantage at Jalan Besar Stadium for boosting his players’ confidence. “Playing at home gave us special energy. Our young players, including those experiencing this level for the first time, showed excellent composure and character,” he concluded.
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