Công an Hà Nội's 3-2 win at Shanghai Port on 27 October, on matchday three of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 league stage, drew very different reactions on each side. Coach Mano Polking said he was proud to be part of a historic moment, his Shanghai Port counterpart Kevin Muscat took responsibility for the defeat, and the AFC website and Southeast Asian fans praised the Vietnamese club, while Chinese media and forums turned on the home side. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) awarded CAHN 300 million dong for the result, Thanh Niên reported.
Polking: proud, but still learning
At the post-match press conference, Polking said he was truly proud to be part of this historic moment, according to Bongdaplus and Bongda24h, the latter republishing a report by Thể thao & Văn hóa. He said his team had played well in their two defeats by Japanese sides, especially at home against Kashima Antlers, and had come to Shanghai with a clear tactical plan.
He praised the way his players fought through the closing minutes under heavy pressure and reminded reporters that scoring three goals against a top side in its own stadium is not easy, Bongdaplus reported. He also showed respect for the opponent, saying CAHN still had a lot to learn from Shanghai Port in professionalism, organisation and the size of its fan base.
Polking was also asked about facing China as Thailand coach. According to Thanh Niên, Thailand lost 1-2 at home to China in the second round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on 16 November 2023, and Polking recalled that he lost the Thailand job after that defeat. He added that several players from that China squad now play for Shanghai Port.
Colombian striker Brayan Perea, who scored twice and was named player of the match, said he felt the team had made history and that the win was not only for the club but for all the people of Vietnam, Bongdaplus reported.
Muscat takes the blame
Muscat, an Australian, was clearly disappointed after Shanghai Port's first defeat in this season's competition, which ended a long unbeaten run. As head coach he took responsibility, he said, adding that his players had done everything asked of them, fought hard and at times played excellent football, according to Thanh Niên. He said the staff would analyse the goals conceded and work on rebuilding the team's confidence.
Praise from the AFC and Southeast Asia
The AFC website wrote that Công an Hà Nội had stunned Shanghai Port 3-2 in a thrilling tie and that the Chinese side's two equalisers were not enough to stop the Vietnamese club's first win of the campaign, Bongda24h reported. Thanh Niên said the AFC also praised CAHN's varied attacking moves, quick transitions and fighting spirit.
On ASEAN Football, a Southeast Asian football forum with more than 700,000 followers, fans from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia congratulated the team, Thanh Niên reported. One wrote that beating a strong Chinese side is never easy; another praised the composure of the CAHN players.
Anger in China over two penalty attempts
Tuổi Trẻ reported that what upset Chinese fans most was the penalty with Shanghai Port trailing 2-3: Leonardo's kick was saved by Nguyễn Filip, VAR ordered a retake because the goalkeeper had moved early, and Vital then hit the frame before a team-mate missed the follow-up. On the Hupu forum, one user only realised that both attempts had failed after first taking the two news alerts for a duplicate; another said the defeat could be a useful lesson for a team that had underestimated its opponent. Some users pushed back against claims of referee bias, saying a correct decision should not be twisted.
Local media were just as harsh. A piece by Vương Vệ Bằng in Lao dong Quan sat, cited by Tuổi Trẻ, said the defence had been sleepwalking and all three goals came far too easily. Journalist Trần Hoa wrote on Zhibo8 that Muscat's overly risky approach would struggle at AFC Champions League level, and a post on the Sina Kandan platform called the defeat a complete loss of face in its headline; Tuổi Trẻ noted these were the views of the platform's authors, not of Sina.
Why Shanghai Port's defeat stands out
According to Tuổi Trẻ, Shanghai Port have won the Chinese Super League 4 times, including three in a row in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Before facing CAHN they were fifth in the league this season with 42 points from 29 games, after three straight league wins. Zhibo8, as cited by Tuổi Trẻ, said they were the first Chinese club to lose in Asia this season at the time of the final whistle. Thanh Niên noted that CAHN won without striker Nguyễn Đình Bắc.
| Who | Main reaction | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Coach Mano Polking (CAHN) | Proud of a historic moment | Bongdaplus, Bongda24h |
| Coach Kevin Muscat (Shanghai Port) | Took responsibility for the defeat | Thanh Niên |
| AFC website | A stunning win in a thrilling tie | Bongda24h |
| Southeast Asian fans | Praised CAHN's composure | Thanh Niên |
| Chinese fans and media | Criticised the defence and the failed penalty attempts | Tuổi Trẻ |
| VFF | Awarded 300 million dong | Thanh Niên |
Next: back to the domestic league
CAHN are returning to Vietnam to prepare for their next V.League match on 31 October, Bongda24h reported, and Polking said the squad needs rest and recovery before a packed schedule continues. Thanh Niên pointed out that the club is competing in the V-League, regional competitions and the continental tournament at the same time. The win in Shanghai keeps their hopes of getting through the league stage alive. Check what comes next at Công an Hà Nội fixtures.