War of words: Coach Polking asserts 'CAHN Club is at a disadvantage', Buriram United coach fires back

Coach Polking's question: Why doesn't CAHN Club enjoy an advantage?

Hanoi Police Club (CAHN Club) will face Buriram United in the first leg of the Southeast Asian Cup C1 final, taking place at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow (May 14) at Hang Day Stadium. Coach Alexandre Polking and his team won all 5 matches to lead Group B, then defeated PSM Makassar with a total score of 2-1 in the semi-finals to enter the championship match.

"I look forward to an exciting match, especially since Buriram United is very famous. With quality domestic and foreign players, I believe the match will be quality. Suphanat's absence is a loss, but Buriram still has many good players. Hopefully the audience will fill the stadium to cheer for CAHN Club," Coach Polking shared at a press conference before the match.

CAHN Club has a historic opportunity in the Southeast Asian C1 Cup. Quang Hai's hope.

Alexandre Polking

PHOTO: MINH TU

In the group stage, CAHN FC defeated Buriram 2-1, under heavy rain at Hang Day Stadium. However, that was when Buriram brought their reserve team to Vietnam, as they were competing in the Thai League and AFC Champions League Elite. Now, Buriram have won the Thai League and no longer have to compete in the Asian arena.

"This match will be very different from the match against Buriram in the group stage. Currently, this team has changed players and lineup. When Buriram faced CAHN Club in the group stage, they had to work hard in other tournaments (Thai League, Thai FA Cup, AFC Champions League Elite). Meanwhile, Buriram has won the Thai League and only has this tournament to focus on," Mr. Polking said cautiously. "Tomorrow's match will not be the same as what happened in the group stage."

The German coach wondered why CAHN Club did not have an advantage in the final (playing the second leg at home), even though they were ranked above Buriram in the group stage.

"I think when two teams in the same group qualify for the final, the team with the best performance in the group stage should be given the advantage of playing the second leg at home. But CAHN FC beat Buriram to take first place in the group. I'm trying to understand where the problem lies, why did we lose that advantage? For example, in the semi-finals, we played away in the first leg, and in the second leg we played at Hang Day Stadium with the support of many fans and won.

I think the most important match of the season should be the second leg, but we have to play away," coach Polking wondered.

CAHN Club (red shirt) defeated PSM Makassar in the semi-finals of the Southeast Asian Cup C1

PHOTO: MINH TU

Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai said that no matter how difficult it is, CAHN Club still aims to win the championship: "CAHN Club has prepared well. I hope CAHN Club will have positive results and a beautiful performance to give to the fans. A good match at Hang Day is also a premise for CAHN Club to aim for the second leg of the final. We want to win the championship!".

Buriram coach expressed the opposite opinion

"CAHN FC is one of the two best teams in the tournament. They won all five group stage matches, possessing a well-organized and well-organised defence and midfield. However, Buriram's goal is to win the championship. The final match against CAHN FC will be different from the group stage, because it will last 180 minutes, not 90 minutes.

Being involved in important matches will help us know how to handle pressure. Buriram is very familiar with important matches, so we don't see any disadvantages," Buriram United's Osmar Loss Vieira affirmed.

Regarding the story of the home advantage of playing the second leg of the final (Buriram will play at Chang Arena in the second leg of the final a week later), Mr. Osmar Loss does not think that is Buriram's advantage.

I don't think there is anything called an advantage in the final, because if Buriram doesn't get a favorable result in the first leg of the final tomorrow, the whole team will be under pressure in the second leg of the final even though they play at home.

Theerathon Bunmathan, a veteran defender who has faced the Vietnamese team many times in Thailand's colors, affirmed: "Buriram will face some difficulties, but the whole team has put all their efforts into preparing for the goal of winning and becoming the champion. I also had the opportunity to meet the Vietnamese players who are playing for CAHN Club.

When I was playing for Thailand, I rarely lost to the Vietnamese team, but the match context was very different, and the players were also different. To win this tournament, the whole team had to try very hard."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khau-chien-hlv-polking-qua-quyet-clb-cahn-gap-bat-loi-hlv-buriram-united-phan-phao-185250513114017409.htm