Early in the match, they conceded a goal due to an unfortunate mistake by Nguyen Filip. In the 11th minute, the Vietnamese-Czech Republic goalkeeper received a pass from a teammate but cleared the ball somewhat carelessly and passively. The ball deflected off Beijing’s Lin Liangming into the net.

In the 2-2 draw at Beijing’s home ground in the first leg, Nguyen Filip also made a regrettable error.

After falling behind, Hanoi Police Club played somewhat frantically. They had many attacking opportunities, but Alexandre Polking’s squad struggled with finishing. The team was awarded a penalty in the 26th minute, but Leo Artur seemed confused and missed it.

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It wasn’t until the 76th minute that Hanoi Police Club equalized 1-1 in a scenario similar to their conceded goal, when a Beijing defender’s clearance deflected off Stefan Mauk into the net.

As the two teams battled evenly until the final moments, Hanoi Police Club took the lead in a fortunate manner. In the 90th minute, from outside the penalty area, Leo Artur shot the ball directly to where Dinh Bac was positioned, and the U22 Vietnam international quickly tapped it in from close range to make it 2-1.

In the 90+4th minute, Beijing’s Cao Yongjing received a red card for unsportsmanlike conduct. With the numerical advantage, Hanoi Police Club had a few more opportunities during added time but missed them all.

Ultimately, Hanoi Police Club defeated Beijing Guoan 2-1 and maintained their top position in Group E of the AFC Cup. In the final matchday on December 11, Alexandre Polking’s squad only needs a draw against Tai Po (Hong Kong) to secure advancement to the next round.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has issued sanctions against Hanoi Police Club following the altercation with Beijing Guoan in the AFC Champions League Two 2025-2026.

Hanoi Police Club

The Hanoi Police Club is a recreational and sports facility in Vietnam’s capital, originally established for members of the police force and their families. While its specific founding date is not widely publicized, it has been a long-standing institution, evolving from an exclusive venue to one that also serves the broader community for events and sports activities.

U22 Vietnam team

The U22 Vietnam team refers to the men’s national under-22 football team of Vietnam. It gained significant national prominence by winning the gold medal at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, a historic victory that was celebrated across the country. This success was a key milestone in the development of a new, talented generation of Vietnamese footballers.

SEA Games 33

The 33rd SEA Games were not a physical place but a major multi-sport event held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2023. It was a historically significant event as it was the first time Cambodia had ever hosted the games in the competition’s decades-long history. The event showcased Southeast Asian sports and culture, with Cambodia achieving its most successful medal tally to date.

Beijing Guoan

Beijing Guoan is a professional football club based in Beijing, China, founded in 1992. It is one of the original members of the Chinese Super League and has a strong, loyal fanbase, historically associated with the city’s “worker’s stadium” culture. The club has won several domestic titles and is known for its intense rivalry with Shanghai Shenhua.

AFC Cup

The AFC Cup is an annual continental club football competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), first launched in 2004. It was created as a secondary tournament to the top-tier AFC Champions League, primarily for clubs from “developing” football nations across Asia. The competition has helped elevate the profile of clubs from countries like Kuwait, India, and Jordan, with Kuwait’s Al-Kuwait SC being the most successful club in its history.

Tai Po

Tai Po is a bustling town located in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Historically, it was a traditional market town for surrounding Hakka villages and later developed into an industrial centre. Today, it is known for its balance of urban development and natural attractions, including the nearby Tai Po Waterfront Park and Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, originally a British colony from 1842 until its handover back to China in 1997. It is a global financial hub renowned for its iconic skyline, deep natural harbor, and vibrant fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. Operating under the “one country, two systems” principle, it maintains its own legal system and way of life.

AFC Champions League Two

The AFC Champions League Two is a relatively new annual continental club football competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), first introduced in the 2024-25 season. It was created as part of a major restructuring of Asian club football, forming the second tier below the elite AFC Champions League Elite and above the AFC Challenge League. The tournament primarily features clubs from middle-ranking AFC member associations, who compete for the title and a chance for promotion to the higher-tier competition.