Police force of Hanoi City FC pulls off a comeback, securing entry into the inaugural ASEAN Club Championship final.
An unforgettable night in Hanoi
Hanoi, Vietnam - On a night filled with excitement and anticipation, Công An Hà Nội FC pulled off an incredible comeback, beating PSM Makassar 2-0 in the second leg of the 2025 ASEAN Club Championship semifinal at Hàng Đẫy Stadium. This victory secured their spot in the inaugural final of the championship, much to the delight of General Secretary Tô Lâm, who was present to witness the historic moment [1].
Công An Hà Nội needed a victory by two or more goals to advance, while a one-goal victory would mean extra time and penalties. The Brazilian coach, Mano Polking, motivated his team to push harder, leading to multiple chances in the first half [2].
The most dangerous opportunity came in the 19th minute, with Nguyễn Quang Hải unleashing a powerful volley that keeper Reza Arya Pratama had to save twice. Centre-forward Alan Grafite also had favourable positions but lacked decisiveness [2].
The team in red started the second half with a bang, scoring a vicious half-volley from Hugo Gomes in the 48th minute after a corner kick [3]. A second goal followed quickly, with Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh finding the back of the net after a cross from Jason Quang Vinh Pendant in the 60th minute [3].
VAR intervened later, confirming that Việt Anh was not offside, much to the relief of the ecstatic crowd of 14,800 [3]. The match was far from over, as CAHN maintained a one-goal lead, and fans held their breath as Nguyễn Filip made a stunning save in the 71st minute to prevent the match from going into extra time [4].
The away side threw everything they had at CAHN in the final minutes, but the home team stood firm, securing their place in the first-ever ASEAN Club Championship Final [4]. The team will face one of the two Thai teams, either Buriram United or BG Pathum United, in a two-legged final on May 14 and May 21 [5].
As the sounds of "Như có Bác Hồ trong ngày vui đại thắng" (As if Uncle Hồ was with us during the victory) echoed through the stadium, CAHN celebrated their impressive victory, a testament to their spirit and determination [6].
Sources:1. VNS2. Vietnam+3. VietnamNet4. Viet Nam News5. ASEAN Football6. Phong Vũ
Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh (number 68) celebrates his goal which sealed CAHN's ticket in the inaugural final of the ASEAN Club Championship. He was later voted Man of the Match for his performance. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyết
- The decisive victory against PSM Makassar by Cõng An Hà Nội FC, scored by Buì Hoàng Việ̣t Anh and Hugo Gomes, under the guidance of Brazilian coach Mano Polking, was a remarkable moment in the European-leagues-inspired ASEAN Club Championship, aiding them to progress to the first-ever final.
- Emulating the spirit of Uncle Hồ, Cõng An Hà Nội FC, now moving ahead in the Premier-League-like ASEAN Club Championship, displayed the AI-powered VAR system's importance in sports, as it validated Anh's goal and ensured their lead against PSM Makassar.
- Despite Nguyễn Quang Hải's near-scoresheet heroics and Alan Grafite's missed opportunities, Cõng An Hà Nội FC showed unparalleled teamwork and resolve, exhibiting the key factors needed to succeed in sports – timely finishing and decisiveness.
- The Asian-based football juggernauts Buriram United and BG Pathum United now await Cõng An Hà Nội FC in the highly anticipated ASEAN Club Championship Final, as the clock rapidly approaches May 14th, inviting football enthusiasts to witness unforgettable European-league-style football played in the heart of Southeast Asia.
- Bringing unity and passion to Hanoi, the crowd of 14,800 spectators could feel the intense emotion as the underdog Cõng An Hà Nội FC, led by General Secretary Tô Lâm, triumphed against the odds, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the realm of Asian football and serving as an inspiration for upcoming football teams in the region.
