CAHN faces risk of a tough challenge in the AFC Champions League Two

The knockout stage draw for the AFC Champions League Two (Asian C2 Cup) 2025/2026 is scheduled for 3:00 PM on December 30, 2025, at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

According to AFC announcements, the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/2026 has concluded, determining 8 teams from West Asia and 8 from East Asia to advance to the knockout rounds. This marks the 21st season of Asia’s second-tier men’s club competition, featuring many clubs with rich traditions and strong squads.

Notably, Hanoi Police Club is making its debut appearance on the continental stage, and is also among the nine teams reaching the knockout phase of ACL Two for the first time. Alongside CAHN, newcomers to this stage include Al Nassr Club, Al Wasl FC, Al Ahli SC, Esteghlal FC, FC Arkadag, Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC, Gamba Osaka, Pohang Steelers, and Ratchaburi FC.

According to the draw format, teams in each region are split into two seeded groups. Group 1 consists of group winners, while Group 2 includes runners-up. Clubs that shared the same group in the previous stage will not face each other in the Round of 16.

In the East Asia region, Group 1 contains group winners Macarthur FC (Australia), Gamba Osaka (Japan), Persib Bandung (Indonesia), and Tampines Rovers FC (Singapore). Meanwhile, Hanoi Police Club is in Group 2 along with Ratchaburi FC, Bangkok United (Thailand), and Pohang Steelers (South Korea).

Finishing second in Group E forces CAHN to face a group winner in the Round of 16. This means coach Manuel Polking’s squad could end up in a very challenging bracket, with Gamba Osaka considered one of the toughest opponents. The Japanese representative previously defeated Steel Blue Nam Dinh in both group stage matches of this year’s AFC C2.

Besides Gamba Osaka, CAHN might also face Macarthur FC, Persib Bandung, or Tampines Rovers, teams regarded as somewhat less formidable by reputation, though still posing risks in a two-legged knockout format.

The Round of 16 matches for the East Asia region are planned for February 11–12 and 18–19, 2026. The quarter-finals will follow in March (4–5 and 11–12), the semi-finals in April (8 and 15), and the single-match final between West and East Asia representatives will be held on May 16, 2026.