The Asian Football Confederation has handed CAHN a 0-3 forfeit for their first-leg victory over Tampines Rovers FC in the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26, after ruling that the Vietnamese club fielded two ineligible players.

On February 17, the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee announced its decision regarding the match played on February 11 at Hang Day Stadium. Although CAHN had secured a commanding 4-0 win on the pitch, the result was overturned because two players were not eligible to compete.

Specifically, Rogerio Alves Dos Santos and Stefan Ingo Mauk were both serving suspensions after receiving their third yellow cards in a 0-1 defeat to Tai Po of Hong Kong (China). Despite this, they were registered and took part in the match against Tampines Rovers. The move was found to be in violation of Articles 56 and 67 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, as well as Article 25 of the competition regulations.

In addition to the 0-3 forfeit, CAHN were fined US$2,000 and 50 percent of their participation fee of US$80,000 will be withheld in accordance with tournament rules.

The administrative decision has dramatically altered the equation for coach Alexandre Polking and his players. Instead of carrying a four-goal cushion into the return leg, CAHN must now win by at least four goals away from home to progress to the quarter-finals.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the decisive clash with Tampines Rovers, Polking did not hide his disappointment.

“We do not blame anyone else, but a match should be decided on the pitch, not off it,” he said.

“I really do not like situations like this. We should have done better. It is our mistake, and I do not deny that.”

Polking revealed that before the first leg, CAHN attended all technical meetings, worked closely with the organisers and received documentation confirming player eligibility. Both Rogerio Alves Dos Santos and Stefan Ingo Mauk were listed as eligible to play, though the organisers included a note stating: “Please double-check, we are not responsible.”

“If one day before the match the AFC or anyone had known that the player was not eligible, just one comment would have changed everything,” Polking stressed.

Despite the setback, the team remain determined. Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai underlined the squad’s resolve.

“We will enter the match with the highest determination, showing our character, the spirit of Vietnamese players and the spirit of the Vietnamese people,” Quang Hai said.

The return leg between CAHN and Tampines Rovers is scheduled for 7:15pm on February 18, the second day of the Lunar New Year.

Dai Nam