The newly crowned champions confirmed their status as Vietnam’s dominant force this season, but the bigger question now is whether they are truly ready to compete on the continental stage.

An emotional coronation night

Heading into round 23, CAHN only needed a draw against Thanh Hoa to mathematically secure the championship.

But coach Alexandre Polking’s side wanted more than just the necessary point.

They wanted victory to complete the perfect celebration and underline their superiority over the rest of the league.

Heavy rain at Hang Day Stadium added even more drama and emotion to the title-deciding clash.

Nguyen Dinh Bac played with relentless energy, constantly troubling Thanh Hoa’s defense with his pace and direct attacking runs.

Quang Hai, Alan, Bui Hoang Viet Anh and Cao Quang Vinh also delivered standout performances on a memorable night.

One of the biggest talking points came when Alan and Dinh Bac appeared to argue over a penalty kick.

However, both players quickly silenced speculation by celebrating together afterward and emphasizing that the team’s victory mattered more than individual achievements.

Polking’s tactical imprint and Dinh Bac’s explosion

CAHN’s championship was impressive not only because they secured the title with three matches remaining, but also because of the consistency shown throughout the campaign.

Compared to their hard-fought title win in 2023, this season’s triumph appeared far more convincing - almost absolute in its dominance.

After 23 rounds, Polking’s side collected 60 points, scored 55 goals and conceded just 19.

They finished 11 points clear of closest challengers The Cong Viettel.

Most remarkably, CAHN suffered only one defeat all season.

The numbers reflected a balanced and complete team capable of both attacking brilliance and defensive solidity over a long campaign.

In reality, the title race was far from straightforward.

Newly promoted Ninh Binh invested heavily and remained close challengers for much of the season, even briefly leading the table at one stage.

The Cong Viettel also stayed in contention deep into the campaign, while Hanoi FC remained a dangerous rival.

Yet CAHN consistently separated themselves from the rest of the field.

A major factor behind that success was Polking’s highly organized tactical system and the stability he brought to the squad.

The coach’s biggest contribution may have been CAHN’s ability to control the title race under pressure.

Meanwhile, Dinh Bac produced a stunning late-season surge.

After going 500 days without scoring, the striker suddenly exploded with 10 goals across six consecutive matches.

His remarkable streak only ended after teammate Alan took the penalty in the recent win over Thanh Hoa.

Turning attention toward Asia

With their current squad strength, CAHN are expected to remain serious V-League title contenders for years to come.

But the club’s ambitions now extend beyond domestic football.

The police-backed team wants to return to regional and continental competitions with a stronger identity - ambitious, competitive and capable of challenging Asia’s elite clubs.

“We always have to dominate at home and win the V-League every season,” Polking said.

“But now the team has the opportunity to step into the Champions League and return to AFC and AFF competitions. We also want to show the quality this squad possesses.”

By winning the 2025/26 V-League title, CAHN are likely to enter the play-off round for a place in next season’s AFC Champions League Elite.

If unsuccessful, the Vietnamese champions would drop into a lower-tier AFC club competition.

Football commentator Quang Huy believes qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite would not only elevate CAHN’s image, but also provide valuable experience for Vietnamese football at the highest level.

“At this moment and likely for many seasons ahead, CAHN remain a club with strong financial resources, a quality coach and talented players,” Quang Huy said.

“They already reached the ASEAN Club Championship final and should have enough confidence to compete on a higher Asian stage. CAHN have both the strength and the foundation to achieve bigger goals in the future.”

Dai Nam