Coach Polking and Van Hau confident CAHN will beat Lion City in Southeast Asian Club Cup

Coach Polking and defender Doan Van Hau of Cong An Ha Noi (CAHN) have made confident statements ahead of the opening group match of the 2026/27 Southeast Asian Club Cup, as the police team will travel to face Lion City Sailors FC (Singapore) on October 8, 2026. In the pre-match press conference, Coach Polking emphasized that CAHN aims to maintain its position as a top Vietnamese club, while continuing to successfully defend the V-League championship and assert its stature on the international stage. He said: "This is an opportunity for us to elevate the club. CAHN is not coming to Singapore just to participate; we are coming to win." For his part, Doan Van Hau, one of the most important pillars of the police team, also expressed very high determination. The player born in 2026, who once played at SC Heerenveen (Netherlands), said: "The whole team really wants to win to start the regional tournament journey smoothly. We have prepared very carefully in terms of fitness, tactics, and mentality." On the other side of the fence, Lion City Sailors player Nur Adam Abdullah also showed no less confidence when declaring that his team wants to win in every tournament they participate in. Lion City Sailors is an ambitious club in Singaporean football, backed by the Sea Group (parent company of Shopee and Garena), possessing strong financial potential and a quality squad. The match is expected to be an attractive contest between the reigning V-League champion and a typical representative of Singaporean football. For CAHN, the opening match holds great significance because it not only decides the group situation but also serves as an opportunity for the team to affirm the position of Vietnamese football on the regional stage. Historically, Vietnamese clubs often face many difficulties when playing away in Singapore due to the hot and humid climate, the dense match schedule, and the harshness of regional matches. However, with careful preparation and a quality squad, especially with the return of key players such as Doan Van Hau, CAHN can completely set the goal of taking full three points away from home. Coach Polking, who has worked in Vietnam for many years and understands Southeast Asian football very well, is expected to make reasonable calculations about personnel and tactics to help CAHN overcome this challenge. In addition, CAHN having to handle two fronts simultaneously, including the domestic V-League where they are the defending champion and the regional arena, will be a difficult problem for the coaching staff in rotating the squad, maintaining form, and avoiding injuries to key players. The Brazilian coach understands this and he emphasized building a squad with depth to be ready for every front. As for Lion City Sailors, the Singaporean team is not an easy opponent. They have affirmed their position as one of the strongest clubs in Singaporean football in recent years, with technical play, high speed, and substantial investment from their owners. This team has also made a name for itself in regional tournaments. Nonetheless, experts believe that Lion City's home advantage is only part of the story. CAHN, with a squad of experienced players, good physique, and the mentality of champions, is fully capable of causing an upset on away ground. Physical condition will play a key role, as the weather in Singapore is often hot and humid, and traveling also affects preparation to some extent. In the press conference, Doan Van Hau also reminded everyone of the desire to dedicate themselves to the fans and affirmed that team unity is the team's greatest strength. He added: "We have a cohesive collective. Whoever takes the field fights wholeheartedly for the club's colors." Van Hau's presence as the media representative before the match shows his influence in the dressing room, and also sends a message of confidence that CAHN wants to convey to the opponent. The match between CAHN and Lion City Sailors promises to take place at high speed and tension, especially in the midfield area where both teams possess quality midfielders. CAHN is expected to start cautiously in the first 20 minutes to get used to the pitch and weather, then gradually increase the rhythm and seek goals from set pieces or fast counter-attacks. Meanwhile, Lion City Sailors, with home advantage, may proactively push their formation high from the start to create early pressure. Tactically, CAHN has an advantage in aerial situations thanks to the physical presence of their central defenders and strikers, while the Singaporean opponents are stronger in small combinations and quick passing. Controlling the tempo of the match and minimizing the spaces behind the defensive line will be the key for CAHN to achieve a good result. Coach Polking is known to be meticulous in preparation and opponent analysis. He certainly has done thorough research on Lion City Sailors' playing style. If they can apply the right game plan, CAHN can not only win but also produce a convincing performance. Mentally, CAHN's confident declaration that they will win right away from home is a double-edged sword. If the team achieves a favorable result, it will reinforce the image of a brave CAHN ready to conquer great challenges. Conversely, if they lose, pressure from public opinion will become even heavier. However, with their class and experience, experts believe CAHN has enough courage to overcome this pressure. Vietnamese football is in a period of strong development, and the success of clubs in continental and regional arenas will contribute to raising the status of Vietnamese football on the Asian football map. CAHN, as the reigning V-League champion, carries the expectations of many fans. Doan Van Hau and his teammates showing high determination in their pre-match statements is a positive signal, showing that the team's morale is very good. CAHN fans in particular and Vietnamese football fans in general are eagerly awaiting an explosive performance from Coach Polking's students on Singaporean soil. The match promises to be thrilling and dramatic, and if CAHN plays to the form and desire they have shown, victory is entirely within reach. Careful preparation, reasonable tactics, and high determination are the key factors for the police team to realize their goal of taking all three points in the opening match. After this opening match, CAHN will have many important matches ahead in both the regional arena and the domestic league. A good result in Singapore will be an important mental springboard for the team to aim for bigger goals in the 2026/27 season. With strong statements from Coach Polking and Doan Van Hau, CAHN has shown that they are not coming to Singapore just to participate. They are coming to win and affirm the position of Vietnamese football on the regional stage. The marquee clash between CAHN and Lion City Sailors promises to be one of the most notable matches in the group stage of the Southeast Asian Club Cup this season.