CLB CAHN has identified its opponent for the playoff round of the AFC Champions League Elite

The opponent for Hanoi Police FC (CAHN) in the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite playoff has been confirmed: Australia's Adelaide United.

According to the tentative schedule, the match between CAHN and Adelaide United will take place at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide on August 11, 2026.

The winning team will secure a spot in the group stage of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite, while the losing side will compete in the group stage of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two.

The reason Adelaide United gets to host the playoff match is that Australia's Asian club ranking is higher than Vietnam's.

Adelaide United finished as runners-up in the A-League this season. This is also the former club of midfielder Stefan Mauk, who has just re-signed with CAHN.

According to the latest allocation from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Australia has gained an additional spot in the AFC Champions League Elite after the tournament expanded from 24 to 32 teams starting from the 2026/27 season. This allows Adelaide United to enter the East region playoff as the second-best Australian club in the 2025/26 A-League.

Meanwhile, CAHN represents Vietnamese football in the playoff round thanks to winning the 2025/26 V.League championship.

Adelaide United is one of Australia's most traditional clubs. The team is based in Adelaide and plays at Coopers Stadium, which has a capacity of over 16,000 spectators. This club was also the Australian representative that reached the AFC Champions League final in 2008.

In the past season, Adelaide United impressed with its fast and energetic style of play under the guidance of coach Airton Andrioli. The squad features many promising young players, notably striker Luka Jovanovic, who scored 11 goals in the 2025/26 A-League.

Australian media regard the return to Asia's top-tier competition as a major step forward for Adelaide United after years of absence from the AFC stage.

On May 31, after round 25 of the LPBank V-League 2025/26, CAHN will officially receive the championship trophy.

A grand celebration ceremony has been planned in detail by the club.