Công an Hà Nội (CAHN) face Shanghai Port at Pudong Stadium in China on 27 October in the third round of AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 matches, with Bóng Đá Plus and Bongda24h both listing kick-off at 17:00. At the pre-match press conference on the morning of 26 October, coach Mano Polking said his side had come to Shanghai to win their first points of the campaign.
It is a steep task. CAHN lost both of their opening games, to Japanese sides Gamba Osaka and Kashima Antlers, and are still to get off the mark. Shanghai Port, the 2025 Chinese champions, already have four points and will have home advantage.
What Polking and Sabater said
According to Bongda24h, Polking said the squad arrived in Shanghai two days before the press conference to give the players the best possible preparation, and that after a good training session the team felt fully ready. As reported by Bóng Đá Plus, he described the AFC Champions League Elite as a completely new stage for the club, but one the players were genuinely enjoying. His aim, he added, was to play well, represent Vietnamese football in the most worthy way and fight for the first points of the campaign.
Midfielder Damia Sabater Tous, a former Spain U17 international, joined him at the press conference. He said the players were proud to represent Vietnam in the competition, knew the game would be extremely difficult and were ready to give everything for the best possible result against Shanghai Port.
The main selection problem is in attack: striker Nguyễn Đình Bắc is unavailable. Bóng Đá Plus put his absence down to a physical-condition issue, while Bongda24h said he was injured. KBVN+ earlier reported that Đình Bắc stayed behind to train separately. Both outlets said the coaching staff will have to rethink their options at a time when CAHN need more cutting edge.
CAHN form in numbers
In the V.League, CAHN have not won their last two games: they lost 1-2 at home to Hà Nội on 18 October and drew 1-1 with Thanh Hóa on 22 October, both at Hàng Đẫy. Even so, KBVN+ data shows them third after five rounds with three wins, one draw and one defeat, one point behind leaders Sông Lam Nghệ An.
| Pos | Team | Played | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sông Lam Nghệ An | 5 | +6 | 11 |
| 2 | Nam Định | 5 | +7 | 10 |
| 3 | Công an Hà Nội | 5 | +5 | 10 |
| 4 | Ninh Bình | 5 | +4 | 10 |
| 5 | Công an TP.HCM | 5 | +3 | 10 |
| 6 | Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh | 5 | +2 | 10 |
With five clubs level on 10 points, every league game can reshape the top of the table, while CAHN must also manage the demands of continental football.
What's next
After Shanghai, CAHN return to the V.League with a round-six trip to leaders Sông Lam Nghệ An at Vinh Stadium, kicking off at 18:00 on 31 October. The full schedule is on the Công an Hà Nội fixtures page.