Coach Polking and Van Hau Declare CAHN Will Beat Lion City in ASEAN Club Cup Opener

At the pre-match press conference for the opening Group B fixture of the 2026/27 ASEAN Club Cup, Coach Polking and defender Doan Van Hau of Cong An Ha Noi (Hanoi Police FC) both declared their determination to secure a victory against Lion City Sailors. The match is scheduled to take place away in Singapore on October 8, marking the start of the reigning V.League 1 champions' regional campaign. Speaking at the press conference, Coach Polking emphasised that the ASEAN Club Cup represents an opportunity for CAHN to elevate their standing on the regional football map. He stated that the club's goal extends beyond maintaining their domestic supremacy to achieving greater heights on the international stage. According to Coach Polking, the entire squad has undergone thorough preparation in terms of both fitness and tactics to face an opponent regarded as one of the strongest forces in Singaporean football. On the player side, Doan Van Hau expressed his high determination when representing CAHN before the media. The defender born in 2026 affirmed that CAHN genuinely wants to win in order to begin their journey on the best possible footing. This signals that the coaching staff and CAHN players are setting the highest target for the opening match, despite having to play away in Singapore's characteristic tropical climate. From the opposing camp, Lion City Sailors' representative Nur Adam Abdullah also displayed similar confidence, declaring that his club aims to win in every tournament they participate in. This indicates that the Group B opener promises to be a tense encounter between two teams brimming with determination. CAHN enter this match as reigning V.League 1 champions, Vietnam's top-tier football league. The club affiliated with the Ministry of Public Security is in a phase of defending their domestic crown while also targeting the affirmation of their status in the regional arena. Having to face Lion City Sailors - a club heavily invested in by private conglomerate Sea Group, owner of major e-commerce and entertainment platforms in the region - poses a significant challenge for Coach Polking's side. Lion City Sailors are known as one of the most ambitious clubs in the Singapore Premier League. With financial backing from Sea Group, the club has continuously raised the quality of their squad and asserted their position in continental competitions. CAHN having to travel to Lion City Sailors' home ground for their opening match is considered a considerable test for the Vietnamese representatives. Tactically, the selection of Doan Van Hau - a defender - as the spokesperson before the media alongside Coach Polking may reflect CAHN's orientation toward building a solid playing style in this away trip. With international experience accumulated during his time at SC Heerenveen in the Netherlands, Van Hau is expected to be a crucial defensive anchor, as well as an attacking threat from set pieces and transition plays. CAHN are assessed as possessing a squad of even quality with many Vietnamese national team players. The club has established their strength in V.League 1 in recent seasons and is gradually building their brand in the regional arena. However, history shows that Vietnamese clubs often struggle in away trips within Southeast Asia, especially when facing well-invested opponents like Lion City Sailors. Weather and travel factors are also challenges that cannot be overlooked. Singapore's characteristic hot and humid climate could affect the fitness of CAHN players, requiring the coaching staff to have reasonable physical management plans. Additionally, having to compete simultaneously in V.League 1 and the ASEAN Club Cup during the early season poses a difficult squad rotation puzzle for Coach Polking. Doan Van Hau, born in 2026, is regarded as one of the top defenders in Vietnamese football today. He once played for SC Heerenveen in the Netherlands - one of the few Vietnamese players to have competed in Europe. That international experience is expected to help Van Hau shine in CAHN colours in the regional arena. However, his injury history is also a constant concern for the coaching staff. As for opponents Lion City Sailors, the club is demonstrating ambitions to assert Singaporean football's position in the regional arena. With abundant financial resources from Sea Group, Lion City Sailors have recruited many quality players and built a modern playing style. Nur Adam Abdullah's declaration about winning in every tournament shows the home team's high level of confidence. The match between CAHN and Lion City Sailors carries significance not only for the two clubs but also for Vietnamese football as a whole. CAHN's performance in the regional arena will contribute to enhancing V.League 1's standing on the Southeast Asian football map, while also motivating other domestic clubs to aim for international reach. A positive result against Lion City Sailors would be an important stepping stone for CAHN in their ASEAN Club Cup journey. Conversely, if they lose the opening match, CAHN could face considerable pressure from domestic public opinion, especially since the club has publicly set a winning target. Vietnamese media tends to harshly evaluate the performances of national representatives in regional competitions, and any unfavourable result could become a hotly debated topic. From a professional standpoint, experts assess that CAHN need to maintain balance between attack and defence in this away trip. Controlling the tempo of the match, managing time, and preserving fitness will be key for Coach Polking's side to achieve a favourable result. The experience of key players like Doan Van Hau will play a pivotal role in maintaining focus and composure under pressure from the stands. In terms of long-term strategy, CAHN's participation in the ASEAN Club Cup also carries significance for transfer market development and brand image enhancement. Vietnamese players performing well in the regional arena will attract attention from clubs in more developed leagues, opening overseas opportunities for the next generation of players. At the same time, CAHN's achievements in continental competitions could contribute to improving Vietnamese football's coefficient on the regional league rankings. The match between CAHN and Lion City Sailors is scheduled to take place on October 8 at the Singaporean club's home ground. This is a clash that is of particular interest to experts and football fans across the region, as both teams have set the highest targets for their 2026/27 ASEAN Club Cup campaigns. The result of this match will partly reflect the balance of power between Vietnamese and Singaporean football at club level. With strong declarations from both sides, fans can look forward to an exciting and dramatic match. CAHN, under the guidance of Coach Polking and with the presence of key players like Doan Van Hau, will endeavour to deliver a positive result on their opening day. Meanwhile, Lion City Sailors, with home advantage and strong resources, are also not hiding their ambition to take all three points. CAHN's expected lineup for this match may depend on the fitness situation of key players after a period of intense competition in V.League 1. The coaching staff will have to carefully consider between ensuring strength for this important match and maintaining fitness for subsequent domestic fixtures. Doan Van Hau, in his role as leader of the defence, is expected to start from the beginning if his condition permits. Coach Polking's tactical plans may include building a tight defensive block, focusing on stopping Lion City Sailors' attacking plays from the flanks. With the experience of a coach who has worked in various football environments, he is expected to make reasonable adjustments to optimise CAHN's strength in the context of playing away. The sensible use of wingers and exploitation of space behind the opposition defence could be the key for CAHN to seek goals. Overall, the match between CAHN and Lion City Sailors is the most notable event on the opening day of Group B in the 2026/27 ASEAN Club Cup. The declarations of Coach Polking and Doan Van Hau have created an atmosphere of excitement for Vietnamese football fans, while also setting high expectations for an impressive performance by the V.League 1 representatives in the regional arena.