AFC Cup 2025-2026: Hanoi Police Club ready to cause surprise in Beijing

In the opening match of the 2025-2026 Asian Cup C2 (taking place at 7:15 p.m. on September 18), Hanoi Police Club had to face Beijing Guoan Club, the team with the highest rating in Group E. However, coach Alexandre Polking and his team still have the ability to leave China with at least 1 point.

HOW STRONG IS THE OPPONENT OF THE Hanoi Police Club?

Beijing Guoan FC is currently ranked 4th in the Chinese Super League (CSL) this season with 48 points, 5 points behind the top team. They are always considered one of the top teams in the country of a billion people with 1 championship and 4 runner-up finishes in the CSL, 5 National Cup championships, 2 National Super Cup wins. In the Asian arena, Beijing Guoan FC's best achievement in the past 5 years is reaching the quarter-finals (2020 season).

Hanoi Police Club (left) is in good form before the match with Beijing Guo'an

PHOTO: MINH TU

According to the statistics website Transfermarkt, the total value of the Beijing Guoan Club's squad is 14.5 million euros (more than 450 billion VND), double that of the Hanoi Police Club (CAHN). They have 5 players valued at over 1 million euros: Guga (Portugal, 3.5 million euros), Serginho (Brazilian naturalized Chinese, 1.7 million euros), Fabio Abreu (Portugal, 1.7 million euros), Dahwan (Brazil, 1.4 million euros), Uros Spajic (Serbia, 1.2 million euros). Meanwhile, at CAHN Club, the highest-valued player is Stefan Mauk with 650,000 euros. Based on these numbers, Beijing Guoan Club is clearly rated higher than CAHN and is the number 1 candidate for the top spot.

WAITING FOR COACH P OLKING AND HIS STUDENTS TO SHOW THEIR COURAGE

However, CAHN Club still has a chance to score points. This is not the first time they have faced a team that is rated higher than them in the international arena. Last season, the police team met Buriram United Club (Thailand) in the Southeast Asia Cup C1. In the group stage, CAHN Club defeated the Thai League champion with a score of 2-1. After that, the two teams played again in the final. After 2 matches, CAHN Club and Buriram United tied with a total score of 5-5. The Vietnamese representative only lost in the unlucky penalty shootout, regrettably missing out on the championship.

And similar to Beijing Guoan Club, Buriram United Club also has a squad value that is superior to CAHN: 14.13 million euros. Of course, football does not have a bridging nature, but what CAHN Club has shown against Buriram United helps fans believe that Coach Polking and his team will earn 1 point, or even 3 points in China.

In addition, CAHN Club is also in good form before this match. In V-League, the Club is unbeaten with 3 wins and 1 draw. They only lost points to one of the championship candidates, Viettel The Cong Club, convincingly defeated Becamex TP.HCM, Hanoi and Hai Phong. More importantly, CAHN Club gradually overcame the weak defense when rookie center-back Adou Minh quickly integrated, playing together with Viet Anh, Hugo Gomes and Dinh Trong. On the attack line, stars like Leo Atur, Alan Grafite... still exploded as usual.

In addition, the experience and ability of Coach Polking are important factors that help CAHN Club stand firm. The controlling and strong attacking style that the Brazilian coach pursues helps CAHN Club play on equal terms with strong opponents. This was demonstrated in the Southeast Asian Cup C1 last season. However, the Club also needs to maintain focus and determination to avoid unfortunate defeats like when facing BG Pathum United Club (Thailand) in the group stage of the Southeast Asian Cup C1 this season (leading, playing with more players but losing).

Overall, with what has been shown in the past time, CAHN Club has enough basis to hope for a fair match with Beijing Quoc An Club. But to have a good result, they will have to overcome external pressures such as away field, fans' expectations, and a force that is not completely healthy (Quang Hai, Van Thanh are absent, Alan is not in the best physical condition). This will be a test of the mettle, preparation and ambition of CAHN Club, one of the strongest and most invested teams in Vietnamese football at this time.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cup-c2-chau-a-2025-2026-club-cong-an-ha-noi-san-sang-gay-bat-ngo-tai-bac-kinh-185250917200317951.htm