“I and the players are genuinely happy. This has been a fantastic season. Winning a title in the first year is crucial. We also reached the final of the ASEAN Club Championship, losing to Buriram only on penalties, and finished third in the V-League, earning a spot in next season’s AFC competition. For a new team, that’s an incredible achievement,” Polking said.
He credited the players for embracing his football philosophy: “They trusted my style, believed in our tactical approach. That’s the most beautiful thing for any coach – seeing your players believe and carry out your vision. We strive to play attractive football, control the game, and create chances. Today’s 5-0 win in a final is a fitting reward.”
A game of emotion
“SLNA is a team with tremendous fighting spirit, but my players delivered a flawless performance. I’m truly happy. Football is about emotion – those were tears of joy, not sadness. This title means a lot to the club, to the players, and to me personally. I live every moment on the pitch. When you're that happy, the emotions just overflow,” he added.
“Now we’ll rest a bit. Then, we hope to compete for the V-League title next season. We’re proud of what we accomplished, but our ambition goes even further,” Polking concluded.
Dai Nam