SINGAPORE/HANOI: Buriram United FC and Cong An Hanoi FC face off next Wednesday (Dec 3) in a re-run of their epic inaugural Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup final clash, with Mano Polking, coach of the Vietnam League 1 outfit, admitting the Group A clash will be a do-or-die affair for both teams.
The Brazilian was left crestfallen in May when his side lost in a penalty shoot-out against Buriram United after a rollercoaster 5-5 aggregate draw between the teams brought the first-ever Shopee CupTM to a thrilling conclusion.
But six months later, the teams find themselves battling very different circumstances as they prepare to face off again at the Thunder Castle.
“What makes this kind of game really interesting is that we know one of us will be killed by the end,” says Polking. “We hope that will not be us because Buriram have had the same bad start as us. They have two points, we have three points. Only two teams go to the next round, so I believe neither of the two teams can lose the game.
“There’s a lot of pressure for both, probably a bit more pressure for them because they’re playing at home. They are the champions, the favourites, but we also went to the final and played two good games against them.
“I’m expecting again a very tense game, a very difficult game between two good teams. I also expect them to fill the stadium again.”
Both clubs have made indifferent starts to their 2025/26 Shopee Cup campaigns, with Cong An Hanoi losing their opener against BG Pathum United FC before bouncing back with a late 1-0 win over DH Cebu FC on Matchday Two.
Buriram, meanwhile, have registered draws against Selangor FC and BG Pathum United to sit a point behind Cong An Hanoi as the group phase hits the halfway point. With only the first two finishers guaranteed to progress to the semi-finals, the pressure is on both teams.
Despite the importance of Wednesday’s meeting, Pölking does not see the encounter as an opportunity to avenge a loss that will linger long in the memory.
“That game, especially, I will never forget in my life, in my career, if I’m honest,” he says of the final defeat. “I will take that with me when I pass away. I will talk about that game to the sons and daughters of my kids.
“It’s really not about revenge. I have played so many times against Buriram already. I know many players there, and I know how good they are. But I don’t think about revenge.
“Of course, I would like to face them in the final again and then try to do it better, but that scenario is probably not going to exist anymore, so we just need the points. It’s not revenge, it’s just a tough game, and we know it will be very difficult.”
The Shopee Cup is one of four tournaments Cong An Hanoi have been competing in during the current season, and the challenge of playing regular high-stakes encounters appeals to Polking.
“These are the kind of games we like to play,” he says. “We like to play the big games. I believe the international games are helping us to improve a lot, too, in the league because they are more difficult, they are more physical, and there is more quality in these games, and it helps us.
“In the league, we are having a better second season (since Pölking took over), and I hope we can continue like that. It’s not been easy to play in four competitions at the same time; we have some small injuries here and there. It will be a good game.”
Selangor lead Group A with four points and a better goal difference to BG Pathum United, followed by Tampines Rovers FC, who are third with three points.
MATCHDAY 3
Fixtures
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 / Group A
• Buriram United FC (THA) v Cong An Hanoi FC (VIE), Buriram Stadium, 7pm
• DH Cebu FC (PHI) v Selangor FC (MAS), Rizal Memorial Stadium, 7pm
• Tampines Rovers FC (SIN) v BG Pathum United FC (THA), Bishan Stadium, 7.30pm
Thursday, December 4, 2025 / Group B
• Shan United FC (MYA) vs Nam Dinh FC (VIE),Thuwunna Stadium, 6pm
• Bangkok United FC (THA) vs Lion City Sailors FC (SIN), Pathum Thani Stadium, 7pm
• PKR Svay Rieng FC (CAM) vs Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (MAS), Morodok Techo National Stadium, 7pm
For more information about the Shopee CupTM, please visit https://aseanutdfc.com/ and @aseanutdfc on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and X.
