Dinh Bac and Quang Hai face a demanding schedule after CAHN's historic achievement.

CAHN faces a grueling season as they must compete on multiple fronts following their historic milestone in the AFC Champions League.

A 2-0 win over Adelaide United on Australian soil propelled Cong An Ha Noi (CAHN) past the AFC Champions League Elite play-off for the first time, simultaneously opening up a season forecast to be extremely tough. With Dinh Bac, Quang Hai, and numerous national team players, CAHN will have to stretch themselves across a series of fronts if they aim to defend the V-League title and make an impact on the continental stage.

What is remarkable is that CAHN achieved this historic milestone without their strongest lineup. Dinh Bac, Quang Hai, Thanh Long, and Viet Anh were with the Vietnam national team, yet coach Alexandre Polking still found solutions through quality backup options. David Henen, Brayan Perea, Damia Sabater, Frans Putros, and Kevin Pham Ba demonstrate that the team has made significant preparations in terms of squad depth.

However, the real challenge only begins after the feat in Australia. In the 2026/27 season, CAHN must simultaneously defend the V-League championship, compete in the National Cup and the ASEAN Club Championship, before entering the high-stakes encounters in the AFC Champions League Elite. Opponents like Johor Darul Ta'zim, Port FC, Lion City Sailors, Svay Rieng, and Persib Bandung are already enough to apply pressure, not to mention the top Asian giants waiting ahead.

The biggest issue for CAHN will be the match density. Constant travel, high match intensity, and performance demands across multiple competitions could quickly overload the key players. Dinh Bac, Quang Hai, and the Vietnamese internationals therefore face an especially packed schedule. Coach Polking will have to calculate when to deploy the strongest lineup while rotating appropriately to maintain competitiveness throughout the entire season.

Nevertheless, CAHN's victory over Adelaide also shows that the team does not rely solely on familiar stars. The ability of the backup options to immediately make a difference is a positive sign, but for long-term competition, that depth still needs to be tested against higher-quality opponents. Especially, the AFC Champions League Elite will be where CAHN faces clubs with squads, experience, and superior resources.

CAHN made history in Adelaide, but that milestone is only the beginning. If they manage their squad well, effectively utilize squad depth, and maintain stability, coach Polking's men can turn the 2026/27 season into the most memorable journey in the club's history. For Dinh Bac, Quang Hai, and their teammates, every match ahead is not only a battle to defend titles but also an opportunity to elevate CAHN on the map of Asian football.