Hot football news midday 12/8: CAHN achieves a miracle, Indonesian fans feel left behind

Hanoi Police create a historic milestone by securing a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27, while Indonesian fans acknowledge the gap with Vietnamese football; Ronaldo officially marries Georgina and a series of high-profile transfers continue to heat up.

Indonesian fans feel left behind

After the disappointment at the 2026 AFF Cup, Indonesian fans have another reason to feel envious when looking at Vietnam. CAHN just defeated Adelaide in Australia to earn a ticket to ACLE 2026/27, while Indonesia has no representative in Asia's most prestigious tournament.

On Southeast Asian forums, many Indonesian fans openly admit the gap between the two football nations. Notably, some Indonesian fans even mock themselves about their country's absence from ACLE. Meanwhile, CAHN has the opportunity to face top Asian clubs, even potentially taking on Ronaldo's Al-Nassr if they advance far.

16 "giants" of the East region in ACLE 2026/27

After the play-off matches on August 11, 16 teams from the East region ACLE 2026/27 have been determined, including CAHN. The Vietnamese representative will face a major challenge as they are in the same group with a series of big names such as Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, Gamba Osaka, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, or Shanghai Port.

Japan dominates with 5 representatives, South Korea and Thailand have 3 teams each, China has 2, while Vietnam, Malaysia, and Australia each contribute 1 club. Under the new format, CAHN will play 8 matches against 8 different opponents, including 4 home matches and 4 away matches. Only the top 8 teams in the region will advance to the knockout stage.

AFC plans to hold the draw on August 18, before the league stage begins on September 15, 2026.

CAHN writes a new page in history

CAHN has just created a special milestone by becoming the first Vietnamese club to overcome the AFC Champions League play-off round, after a 2-0 victory over Adelaide in Australia. This achievement helps the police force team secure a spot in the ACLE 2026/27 league stage, while also breaking the barrier that 6 previous Vietnamese clubs had failed to overcome.

In history, HAGL, Becamex Binh Duong, Hanoi, SHB Da Nang, Nam Dinh, and The Cong - Viettel had participated in the group stage but none had ever passed the play-off round. Therefore, CAHN now has the opportunity to continue writing history.

Ahead are 8 matches against top Asian opponents. If they continue to surprise, CAHN can aim to become the first Vietnamese club to pass the league stage.

Ronaldo officially gets married

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez have officially become husband and wife after a discreet civil wedding ceremony in Cascais, Portugal on August 11. According to Reuters and AP, the ceremony took place in a private setting, with the presence of the family's 5 children.

After the wedding, the couple simultaneously confirmed the happy news on social media with images of wedding rings on their hands. Ronaldo and Georgina met in Madrid in 2016, starting a relationship that lasted nearly a decade. They have two daughters together and jointly care for Ronaldo's three other children.

The wedding concluded the couple's 10-year romantic journey, while also marking a special milestone in the off-field life of the Portuguese superstar.

Transfer news

The European transfer market continues to heat up with a series of notable developments. PSG is reportedly close to an agreement in principle worth 55 million Euros with Barcelona for Ferran Torres, opening the possibility of the Spanish striker reuniting with Luis Enrique.

Meanwhile, Man City advances for Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille with a fee around 85 million Pounds, in a plan to rebuild the midfield. Barcelona also prepares to raise their bid for Rodri to 60 million Euros, but Man City still wants to collect up to 70-80 million Euros.

In England, Arsenal is reportedly ready to consider offers for Myles Lewis-Skelly, while Man Utd and Chelsea have both been informed about the possibility of signing a 19-year-old talent. The Red Devils are also turning to David Raum of RB Leipzig after hitting a dead end with Lewis Hall.