Asian media praise Quang Hải with a series of flattering words

Asian media highly praised Nguyễn Quang Hải's class following his brilliant performance in Công An Hà Nội's 4-0 victory over BG Tampines Rovers in the first leg of the AFC Champions League Two round of 16.

According to ESPN Asia, after outstanding displays in the group stage, the continental dream of Singapore representative BG Tampines Rovers is on the verge of collapse. The 0-4 defeat to Công An Hà Nội was not only a heavy loss but also a clear statement of the difference in quality, where Nguyễn Quang Hải once again proved why he remains one of the brightest stars in Vietnamese football. ESPN Asia emphasized that: “Vietnam’s Nguyễn Quang Hải has long been a nightmare for many Southeast Asian opponents, especially at the international level.” 

Notably, the article highlights a change in the role of the midfielder born in 1997. Instead of only acting as the playmaker like before, Quang Hải has shown an evolution in his playing style: “And like many great stars entering the prime of their careers, Quang Hải’s role has shifted. Rather than just creating chances, this time he shone as a finisher with his famous left foot.”

This was clearly demonstrated when he directly scored 2 goals in CAHN’s victory. In the first goal, Léo Artur’s shot forced goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari to parry the ball, and Quang Hải was in the right place to tap in the rebound precisely. Just 3 minutes later, he showed his composure again by dribbling past the opposing defender before coolly finishing to make it 2-0.

Asian media noted that Quang Hải’s presence made a huge difference for Công An Hà Nội. Every time he touched the ball, Tampines Rovers’ defense was put on high alert. Beyond his technical contributions, he brought confidence and rhythm to the entire team.

After a first half bursting with 3 goals, ESPN Asia admitted: “Tampines created some dangerous chances and should have scored at least once, although they also left many gaps behind when pushing their line up. Part of the reason they found it easier was because Quang Hải was substituted in the 64th minute after performing excellently.”

ESPN Asia highly praised how CAHN structured their play around Quang Hải. While he was on the field, the home team’s attacking tempo remained high, with sharp combinations and passes that tore through the opponent’s defense. After he left the pitch, CAHN still controlled the game well but lost some of their previous explosiveness.

The article also placed this match within the broader context of AFC Champions League Two. Tampines Rovers had impressed strongly in the group stage by earning 16 out of 18 points, surpassing even Pohang Steelers to top the group. They dreamed of replicating the achievement of Lion City Sailors, the first Singaporean club to reach a continental final last season. However, the performance of Quang Hải and CAHN almost extinguished that ambition right from the first leg.