This afternoon, Buriram United club met Hanoi Police.

Recall the final in May when Mr. Polking’s team lost on penalties to Buriram United, after a spectacular score chase with a 5-5 aggregate draw, bringing a dramatic end to the first Shopee Cup season.

But six months later, two changed teams are set to face off again at the "Thunder Castle" (Buriram's home ground nickname) tonight (7pm on December 3).

This afternoon, Buriram United club met Hanoi Police.

"What makes this game really interesting is that we know one of the teams will be stopped at the end. We hope it won't be us because Buriram have had a bad start like us," Polking said before the match.

They have two points, we have three. Only two teams can go through to the next round, so I believe neither team can afford to lose this match.

There's a lot of pressure on both of them, but maybe a little more on them because they're playing at home. They're champions, the favourites, but we've also reached the final and played two good games against them.

I expect a very tense match again, a very difficult match between two good teams. I also hope the audience will fill the stadium again."

Both clubs had a rocky start to their 2025/26 Shopee Cup campaign. Hanoi Police lost their opening match against BG Pathum United before securing a late 1-0 win over DH Cebu in Matchday 2.

Meanwhile, Buriram have drawn two games against Selangor FC and BG Pathum United FC, leaving them one point behind Hanoi Police at the halfway stage of the group stage. With only the top two teams guaranteed a place in the semi-finals, the pressure is on both teams.

Despite the importance of today's meeting, Mr. Pölking does not see this as an opportunity to avenge a defeat that will remain in memory forever.

"That match, in particular, to be honest, I will never forget it in my life, in my career. I will take it with me when I die. I will tell my grandchildren about that match.

It's not really about revenge. I've played against Buriram many times. I know a lot of the players there, I know how good they are. But I'm not thinking about revenge.

Of course, I would like to face them in the final again and try to do better, but that scenario probably doesn't exist anymore, so we just need the points. It's not revenge, it's just a tough game and we know it will be tough," Polking said.

Coach Mano Pölking admits this Group A clash will be a "do or die" match for both teams.

The Shopee Cup is one of four tournaments that the Hanoi Police Club is competing in this season and the challenge of regularly playing high-stakes matches is what attracts Mr. Pölking.

"These are the games we enjoy. We enjoy playing big games," he said.

I believe the international matches are also helping us improve a lot in the national championship, because they are harder, more physical and of a higher quality, and that helps us."

Selangor are leading Group A with four points and have a better goal difference than BG Pathum United, followed by Tampines Rovers FC in third with three points. Hanoi Police are in fourth place.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/chieu-nay-cau-lac-bo-buriram-united-gap-cong-an-ha-noi.html