Cong An Ha Noi FC made Vietnamese football history after defeating Adelaide United 2-0 in Australia to secure a place in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 League Atage for the first time in the club’s history.
Playing at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, Alexandre Polking’s side produced a disciplined defensive display and made the most of their opportunities through David Henen and Bryan Perea, sealing a famous victory that also makes Cong An Ha Noi the first Vietnamese club to reach the AFC Champions League Elite group stage since the competition was rebranded.
The Vietnamese champions arrived in Australia facing a difficult away play-off, but delivered when it mattered most — scoring twice, keeping a clean sheet and surviving sustained pressure from the home side in the second half.
Despite the knockout nature of the tie, both teams adopted an attacking approach from the opening whistle.
Adelaide United enjoyed slightly more possession and created the greater number of attempts during the first half, while Cong An Ha Noi looked dangerous whenever they transitioned quickly from defence into attack.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 41st minute. Bryan Perea produced a superb piece of individual play, turning before threading a perfectly weighted pass through the Adelaide defence.
David Henen burst into the space, using his strength to hold off the defender before unleashing a powerful shot toward goal.
Adelaide goalkeeper Joshua Smits managed to get a touch on the effort, but could not prevent the ball from finding the net.
It was a dream start to life at Cong An Ha Noi for Henen, who scored on his debut for the Vietnamese club.
For Perea, the moment was equally significant as he registered his first assist in Cong An Ha Noi colours.
The visitors went into half-time with a precious 1-0 advantage. Adelaide United returned for the second half with greater urgency, determined to find an equaliser.
However, the opening goal allowed Cong An Ha Noi to play with greater confidence, adopting a compact defensive shape and looking to punish the Australian side on the counterattack.
That strategy paid off again in the 63rd minute. Henen received the ball on the right flank before driving forward and delivering a low cross into the penalty area.
Perea had timed his run perfectly and arrived in front of goal to meet the delivery with a first-time finish.
The Colombian made no mistake, firing the ball past Smits to make it 2-0.
The Henen-Perea partnership had struck again — this time effectively putting Cong An Ha Noi in control of the tie.
With two goals in hand, Cong An Ha Noi faced an intense final period as Adelaide United pushed almost everyone forward in search of a way back into the match.
But Polking’s players remained organised and disciplined. Nguyen Filip and the Cong An Ha Noi defence repeatedly stood firm, denying Adelaide the clear-cut opportunity they needed to reduce the deficit.
The final whistle eventually confirmed a 2-0 victory for Cong An Ha Noi, triggering historic celebrations for the Vietnamese champions.
The victory sends Cong An Ha Noi into the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 group stage, marking the first time in club history that they have reached Asia’s premier club competition at this level.
It is also a landmark achievement for Vietnamese football. Since the competition was renamed the AFC Champions League Elite, no Vietnamese club had previously managed to qualify for the group stage.
Cong An Ha Noi entered this season’s qualifying pathway after winning the 2025/26 V.League championship, becoming Vietnam’s sole representative in the qualifying round.
Their victory over Adelaide United now completes a remarkable journey from domestic champions to one of Asia’s elite club competitions.
Cong An Ha Noi will enter the draw as a fourth-seeded club from the East Region, alongside Thailand’s Ratchaburi, Japan’s Kyoto Sanga and the winner of the Gangwon-Gamba Osaka play-off.
The official draw will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on August 18.
Credit Photo : AFC
