Coach Polking's difficulties
Hanoi Police is the only representative of Vietnam still competing in 3 arenas in the 2024-2025 season, which is V.League, National Cup and Southeast Asian Club Championship (C1 Southeast Asian Cup).
Against this team, Nam Dinh Steel Blue stopped early in the AFC Champions League Two, while Dong A Thanh Hoa was eliminated in the Southeast Asian tournament by PSM Makassar. This is also the opponent holding the advantage when defeating Hanoi Police 1-0 in the first leg of the Southeast Asian Cup C1 semi-final not long ago.
In theory, Hanoi Police have a chance to win three titles this season. Vietnam's history has witnessed Hanoi FC winning 3 championships in the 2019 and 2022 seasons. But the Capital team at that time was only "king" in the country, including the National Cup, V.League and National Super Cup. Up to now, no club in Vietnam has been crowned in both domestic and international tournaments. Of course, Quang Hai and his teammates are on the threshold to create a "precarious" milestone.
But in reality, it is more difficult for Hanoi Police. The loss of force is the biggest obstacle to the former V.League champion's ambition to conquer many titles. "The team has too many injuries so we cannot play as we want. We have to recalculate the force for the upcoming important period, Mr. Polking shared.
The coach's headache is the lack of a good striker. Leo Artur - a player who scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists for Hanoi Police in all competitions - suffered a long-term injury and will be out for the rest of the 2024-2025 season. This team continues to receive bad news when Alan - the striker who scored 11 goals and 4 assists after 19 matches is also absent for the rest of this month. That is not to mention Dinh Bac - Mr. Polking's favorite "player" who could not return before July due to a broken toe.
After all, the captain of Hanoi Police had to use Thaileon, but this option was ineffective. Most recently, against opponent Hai Phong in the quarter-finals of the National Cup, the Brazilian striker showed awkwardness in the encounters with the goalkeeper and missed the opportunity to score ten goals many times.
Challenges ahead
In a wall-watched position, coach Mano Polking had to rely on the scoring ability of... the defense. Cao Pendant Quang Vinh is in stable form with a series of assists on the left wing. Meanwhile, the two central defenders Bui Hoang Viet Anh and Hugo Gomes also met some of the goalscoring ability in attacking and supporting teammates. However, this story can only be patched in a few individual matches. That cannot be a complete solution for the difficult journey waiting for Hanoi Police.
Remember, the opponents that Hanoi Police will face in the future will be more difficult than Hai Phong. In the Southeast Asian C1 tournament, even if they overcome PSM Makassar at home, this team will continue to face the challenge from Thailand. Buriram and Pathum United are both "giants" in the regional arena. With the current patchwork force, it is difficult for the Vietnamese representative to create a surprise.
In the National Cup arena, Hanoi Police met The Cong Viettel and are in quite stable form. Coach Nguyen Huu Thang's team did not hide their intention to conquer the National Cup, after 2 missed appointments in the past 5 years. In the V.League, Hanoi Police were 5 to 7 points behind Hanoi FC and Nam Dinh. With only 7 rounds left in the season, the possibility of Mr. Polking and his team coming back is unlikely.
With a squad without quality strikers, a tight schedule and tough opponents, Hanoi Police are cautious about the risk of losing all 3 fronts. However, they still have a foundation to hope for a new achievement, a new milestone when the players' spirit is full of enthusiasm.
