Winning 4-0, CAHN unexpectedly faces the risk of a 0-3 forfeit loss

Hanoi Police FC faces the possibility of a forfeit loss in AFC Champions League Two due to the potential use of two players who were not eligible to play in their 4-0 win against Tampines Rovers.

In the first leg of the round of 16 held on February 11, Hanoi Police secured a 4-0 win against Tampines Rovers. However, the situation could change if the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) determines that the Vietnamese representative breached the tournament regulations.

According to ESPN Asia, based on official match data from the AFC, Australian midfielder Stefan Mauk and Brazilian forward China had accumulated three yellow cards during the group stage, specifically in the 0-1 loss to Tai Po. Although this result did not affect Hanoi Police’s qualification for the round of 16, under Article 59.1.1 of the competition rules, any player receiving yellow cards in three separate matches must serve a one-match suspension in the following game.

This means Mauk and China should have been ineligible to play in the first leg of the round of 16 against Tampines. Yet, both started the match, with China even scoring to extend the lead to 3-0 in the 37th minute.

According to Article 59.1.3 of the tournament regulations, if a player only received up to two yellow cards in the group stage, those cards would be wiped clean entering the knockout phase. However, it appears Mauk and China exceeded this limit.

The current situation recalls a similar incident nearly a year ago when another Singaporean club, Lion City Sailors, benefited from an opponent’s error. At that time, Sanfrecce Hiroshima won the first leg of the quarterfinal 6-1, but the result was later annulled and changed to a 0-3 loss due to fielding an ineligible player, Valère Germain, who had not served a suspension carried over from his time at Macarthur FC.

That decision paved the way for Lion City Sailors to reach the semifinals and then the final, becoming the first Singaporean club to contest the continental title, although they eventually lost 1-2 to Sharjah FC.

According to ESPN Asia, the AFC is aware of the potential violation by Hanoi Police and is expected to issue a ruling early next week, before the two teams meet again at Jalan Besar Stadium (Singapore).

Currently, Tampines Rovers has not officially filed a complaint but is reportedly informed that the AFC is reviewing the case. All parties involved, including Tampines, Hanoi Police, and the AFC, have been contacted for official statements.

If the 0-3 forfeit is enforced, Hanoi Police’s advantage will disappear, simultaneously opening a door of hope for Tampines Rovers. The Singaporean club could turn the deadlock into a memorable comeback in this season’s AFC Champions League Two.