Losing to CAHN in the Asian Champions League, Adelaide fans admit 'Even if we played them 20 times, it would still be hard to get a point'

Disappointed with Adelaide United's performance, many fans of the club also expressed surprise at the strength of Hanoi Police.

Hanoi Police created a remarkable milestone for Vietnamese football by defeating Adelaide United 2-0 on Australian soil in the preliminary round of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite. Goals from Henen and Koko helped coach Alexandre Polking's side officially secure a place in the League Stage, with the draw ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur on August 18.

Right after the match, on Adelaide United's official social media page, a wave of disappointment flooded in. Most home fans were unhappy with how their team approached the game, the personnel choices, and the lack of sharpness in attack.

An account named Daniel Best wrote: "That was one of the worst performances by the team in a very, very long time."

Adam Bruhns questioned why Adelaide didn't field their strongest lineup, while Jim Allan sarcastically noted the decision to bring on strikers only after the score was 0-2. Many other comments demanded the club immediately sign a proper center forward before the new season.

Frustration also turned toward Adelaide's management. Some fans felt the club kept selling good players but hadn't reinvested enough in the squad. Account Thomas Fuller commented that it was puzzling for a team that relies heavily on revenue from player sales yet doesn't aggressively compete for prize money and opportunities in the Asian arena.

However, amidst the many criticisms aimed at the home team, there were also notable comments acknowledging the overwhelming strength of Hanoi Police.

Account Dave Mason drew attention by writing: "We could play them 20 times and still not get a single point. There's a gap in quality. Player number 7 (Cao Pendant Quang Vinh) played almost perfectly."

This was one of the strongest reactions after the match, because Adelaide fans not only thought their team underperformed but directly admitted the difference made by the Vietnamese side.

User Nicholas Leow also shifted the story to a broader perspective. This account said that there are still people who underestimate Southeast Asian football, but recent results against representatives from the region are showing that this view needs to change.

Meanwhile, Dimi Sianis commented that the match reflected "how much other leagues have advanced in quality," while also questioning the current standing of the A-League.

The nature of the defeat made Adelaide fans even more regretful. AFC confirmed that the match against Hanoi Police was a knockout clash for a place in the League Stage of the AFC Champions League Elite. The loser would drop to the AFC Champions League Two, while Hanoi Police secured one of the final spots to enter Asia's top club competition.

This means Hanoi Police are about to enter a completely different level of competition, where the Vietnamese representative could face the strongest names in East Asia. AFC has confirmed that Japanese clubs such as Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, Kashiwa Reysol, Kyoto Sanga, and Gamba Osaka are among those in the League Stage.

Further ahead is the special prospect of facing legend Cristiano Ronaldo in the quarter-finals. Al Nassr is currently the Saudi Pro League champion and returns to the AFC Champions League Elite this season, while Ronaldo still plays for the Saudi Arabian club.