CAHN Club struggles to hold on to hope

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh's 89th-minute goal helped Hanoi Police Club (CAHN) win the first 3 hard-won points at the ASEAN Club Championship.

POWERLESS BEFORE "CONCRETE"

CAHN Club may have imagined that their opponent Dynamic Herb Cebu (Philippines) would be pouring concrete in the match taking place on the evening of September 24 at Hang Day Stadium, within the framework of the second round of the ASEAN Club Championship (Southeast Asia Cup C1). However, coach Alexandre Polking's students did not prepare a sharp enough strategy.

CAHN Club (left) had a hard-fought victory

PHOTO: MINH TU

Despite dominating possession, facing a fiercely pressing opponent in the midfield, CAHN Club could only attack on the flanks, then cross for tall players like striker Rogerio Alves or center-back Hugo Gomes to find luck. In the first half, this tactic did not trouble Cebu. With a defense with ideal physique, Pinto and his teammates successfully neutralized most of CAHN Club's crosses.

The home team’s attacks were like… headbutting a wall against a well-protected and well-defended opponent. Cebu’s mistake only appeared at the end of the first half, when the away team’s central defender inexplicably lost the ball, giving Rogerio Alves a chance to run down and face the ball. However, with the goal wide open, Alves’ shot missed the post.

CAHN CLUB scores a VALUABLE GOAL

When the electronic board showed that CAHN Club had 13 shots (3 on target) but failed to score, the haunting memory of matches where opportunities were wasted returned to the Vietnamese representative.

CAHN Club lost 1-2 to Pathum United (Thailand) in the previous round due to many missed shots. The second half of the match with Cebu was like a slow-motion film recreating the old problems that coach Polking and his team encountered: good control of the midfield, close to the goal, but hasty and indecisive when the way to the goal was wide open. The most regrettable of which was Dinh Bac's missed shot in the 62nd minute, when in front of the striker wearing the number 9 shirt was only the Cebu goalkeeper.

However, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh’s goal in the 89th minute brought CAHN Club back on the winning track. The cross from the right wing created a chaotic situation, and it took the third shot for CAHN Club to penetrate the Cebu net. A hard-fought goal, ending a hard-fought match for CAHN Club.

The victory over Cebu helped CAHN Club rise to third place with 3 points after 2 matches (0 goal difference). However, the journey to get a ticket to the group stage for Coach Polking and his team is still arduous. CAHN Club will have to face the reigning champion Buriram United, not to mention Selangor (Malaysia) and Tampines Rovers (Singapore), both of which are tough opponents. Coach Polking's team is in a very difficult group, and each match against an underdog like Cebu is an opportunity to win and perfect their playing style.

In the next match, CAHN Club will be a guest at Buriram Stadium (December 3). The trip to Thailand will not only be a replay of CAHN Club's regrettable second leg final last season (losing on penalties), but also a huge challenge for the ambition of the V-League representative. CAHN Club will face the strongest opponent, in the most difficult and difficult circumstances. However, if they can overcome Buriram's "fortress" Chang Arena with at least 1 point, Coach Polking and his team deserve to return to the race to conquer the ASEAN Club Championship.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/clb-cahn-nhoc-nhan-niu-hy-vong-185250924223959976.htm