Can coach Polking defeat Buriram United?

Coach Polking wants to win with CAHN against Buriram United - Photo: CAHN .

Before coming to Vietnam to lead CAHN, Coach Mano Polking spent many years coaching in the Thai League and 2 years as coach of the Thai national team. During that time, he faced and worked with almost all of the current pillars of Buriram United such as Theerathon Bunmathan, Sasalak Haiprakhon, Supachai Jaided, Pansa Hemviboon... Not only does he understand the style, strengths and weaknesses of each person, he also knows by heart the tactical system that Buriram United operates.

In the Southeast Asian Cup group stage match, CAHN defeated Buriram 2-1 at Hang Day Stadium. But like coach Polking said at the press conference before the match, that should not be used as a yardstick for the final match. Because at that time, the reigning Thai League champion had to distribute his forces across 4 arenas, many key players were given a rest or did not play. Now, they brought to Hanoi almost the strongest squad.

Under coach Mano Polking, CAHN plays modern possession football, with high pressing, turning the midfield into an area to impose the game. This style of play helps them crush many opponents in the V.League, even overwhelming regional representatives in the group stage. But when facing a Buriram United team with an almost identical style of play, also controlling, also pressing, many people ask the question of what CAHN will do to decode the opponent.

This is a big problem for coach Mano Polking. Because if they continue to push their formation high to play an attacking game, CAHN will leave gaps behind them. That can be exploited by Buriram United's cunning and sharpness. On the contrary, if they retreat deep to play defensive counter-attacks, they need to completely change their approach and make certain sacrifices in attack.

The victory over the representative of Thai football in the group stage is a spiritual foundation, but it is only for reference at this point. The final is a different story, both teams are giving their all, both want to win the prestigious cup of the region. With the home field advantage, coach Mano Polking certainly does not want to defend passively.

Therefore, the match is not only a battle between the two strongest teams in Southeast Asia at present, but also a battle of wits between the coach who has many years of leading Thai teams and is the teacher of many modern Buriram players in the national team and his former students. Success or failure depends on how CAHN adapts and reacts. Attack or counterattack? It is not just a matter of tactics, but also of courage and calculation to touch the Southeast Asian Cup.

Source: https://znews.vn/hlv-polking-co-the-hoa-giai-buriram-united-post1553053.html