The surprising development in CAHN's 4-0 victory over Tampines Rovers

Hanoi Police FC is under threat of a forfeit in AFC Champions League Two after allegations of using two players who were not eligible to participate in the 4-0 victory over Tampines Rovers.

In the first leg of the round of 16 held on February 11, Hanoi Police FC secured a 4-0 win against Tampines Rovers. However, the situation might reverse if the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirms that the Vietnamese team violated competition regulations.

According to ESPN Asia,based on official match data from the AFC, Australian midfielder Stefan Mauk and Brazilian forward China had accumulated 3 yellow cards during the group stage, specifically in the 0-1 loss to Tai Po. Although this result did not affect Hanoi Police FC’s qualification to the round of 16, under Article 59.1.1 of the tournament rules, any player receiving yellow cards in three separate matches must serve a one-match suspension in the following game of the competition.

This means that 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 make it 3-0 in the 37th minute.

According to Article 59.1.3 of the competition, if a player has received no more than 2 yellow cards in the group stage, these are wiped clean before the knockout rounds. However, Mauk and China appear to have exceeded this limit.

This 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 quarter-finals 6-1, but the result was later annulled and changed to a 0-3 loss due to the use of an ineligible player, Valère Germain, who had not completed a suspension carried over from his time at Macarthur FC.

That decision paved the way for Lion City Sailors to advance to the semi-finals and then the final, becoming the first Singaporean club to reach a continental championship match, although they eventually lost 1-2 to Sharjah FC.

According to ESPN Asia,the AFC has obtained information regarding Hanoi Police FC’s potential violation 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 believed to have been notified that the AFC is reviewing the case. All parties involved, including Tampines, Hanoi Police FC, and the AFC, have been contacted for official comments.

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