Hanoi Police FC to play Adelaide United in Australia for Asian Champions League spot

Hanoi Police Football Club faces a crucial playoff match against Australia's Adelaide United for a place in the prestigious 2026-2027 AFC Champions League Elite. The single-leg playoff is set to take place on August 11 at Adelaide United's home ground.

The decision to host the match in Australia was made by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which grants hosting rights to the club from the league with the higher seeding. The Australian A-League is ranked fifth by the AFC, while Vietnam's V-League is seventh, giving Adelaide United the home advantage.

Adelaide United, established in 2003, is a prominent team in the Australian professional league, boasting two championships and three runner-up finishes, including a recent one. On the continental stage, they reached the final of the AFC Champions League Elite once and secured a top-four finish in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008.

Should Hanoi Police fail to overcome Adelaide United, they will still have an opportunity to compete in the AFC Champions League Two, joining fellow Vietnamese club The Cong - Viettel, the V-League runner-up. The timing of the playoff coincides with the Vietnamese national team's participation in the ASEAN Cup 2026, prompting coordination between the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and Hanoi Police FC to manage key players effectively.