Vietnamese Football in the AFC Champions League: A Club That Made the Champions 'Regret'

Vietnamese football has seen numerous teams take part in the top Asian club tournament, creating many unforgettable moments.

Vietnamese football has had quite a few representatives appearing in the most prestigious Asian club competition, from traditional names like The Cong - Viettel (formerly Viettel), Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Becamex Binh Duong) to Hanoi. In that journey, there were huge landmark victories, but also unforgettable defeats.

Hanoi - AFC Champions League 2023/24

Perhaps the most notable in the modern AFC Champions League era is Hanoi. Despite only one appearance, the capital club left a strong impression in the 2023/24 season.

Hanoi once caused an upset with a 2-1 victory over Wuhan Three Towns (China). However, the achievement that fans remember most is undoubtedly the defeat of the then-reigning champions Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan).

At My Dinh Stadium, the capital club brilliantly defeated Urawa Reds 2-1. This result caused the 2022/23 Champions League winners to officially become former champions.

This is regarded as one of the most memorable victories of a Vietnamese club against a top Asian opponent. Although Hanoi could not advance further in the tournament that year, they proved that Vietnamese football is fully capable of springing surprises when playing at the highest level.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai - AFC Champions League 2022

Before Hanoi, HAGL also left a significant mark. The Mountain Town club had 3 times participated in the years 2004, 2005 and 2022.

Especially, in the 2022 Champions League, under the guidance of coach Kiatisuk Senamuang, HAGL earned 5 points after 6 matches, including a 1-0 win over Sydney FC (Australia).

Becamex Ho Chi Minh City - AFC Champions League 2015 and 2016

Becamex HCMC when still known as Becamex Binh Duong also had 3 times appeared in the highest Asian club competition in 2008, 2015 and 2016. Notably, The Eastern Whirlwindall earned 4 points in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

SHB Da Nang - AFC Champions League 2006

SHB Da Nang (formerly Da Nang) holds one of the saddest memories of Vietnamese football in the Asian Champions League. Participating in the 2006 season, the Han River club lost all 6 matches in the group stage. The peak was a defeat with a score of 0-15 against Gamba Osaka (Japan) away.

A few other names of Vietnamese football that have participated in the 'Asian C1'

Quy Nhon United (formerly Binh Dinh/Hoa Lam Binh Dinh) and Long An (Gach Dong Tam Long An/Dong Tam Long An) also had 2 times participated in the tournament but were all eliminated in the group stage.

The Cong - Viettel participated in 2021 when still named Viettel and earned 2 victories against Kaya-Iloilo (Philippines). Nam Dinh (formerly Dam Phu My Nam Dinh) also participated in the 2008 season, but could not advance past the group stage.

If counting the precursor tournament of the Champions League (Asian Champion Club Tournament or Asian Club Championship), Vietnamese football also had many former names like Hai Quan, Cang Sai Gon, Dong Thap,...