Japanese fans are on high alert as many representatives face CAHN

Hanoi Police repeatedly face off against Japanese clubs, forming a special storyline that makes the home power of the capital's team noteworthy.

The fact that Hanoi Police must take on up to four Japanese clubs in the League Stage of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 generates very interesting perspectives from fans in the Land of the Rising Sun.

The most notable point after the draw ceremony is that Hanoi Police will have to face up to 5 representatives of Japanese football. The capital team will take on Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, Kashiwa Reysol, Gamba Osaka, and Kyoto Sanga, thus becoming one of the opponents with the highest density of encounters with J.League clubs in this season's League Stage. This special coincidence makes Hanoi Police's journey a noteworthy story when placed alongside the Japanese representatives.

In the reactions of Japanese fans to the draw results, one notable comment reads: "There are many Japanese teams facing Hanoi Police. If we think these are easy matches, we might be underestimating the Vietnamese representative. They performed impressively in the playoff match; we definitely cannot be complacent!"

Another opinion focuses on the challenge of traveling to Vietnam: "Playing in Hanoi has never been a simple trip. The climate, the pitch, the fans, and the energetic style of the home team can create many problems."

It is noteworthy that Hanoi Police do not appear merely as a Southeast Asian representative. The significant investment in squad strength in recent seasons has given the police team a foundation capable of creating highly competitive matches when stepping onto the continental stage.

Another comment also directs attention to the quality of the Vietnamese representative's squad: "I want to see how the Japanese teams will cope when facing Hanoi Police. They have many quality players and certainly did not enter the tournament just to defend."

One opinion even issued a strong warning: "Any team that drops points in Hanoi could pay a heavy price. This is a format where all eight matches are extremely valuable."

Notably, Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, and Kyoto Sanga all have to travel to Vietnam, making the home ground a crucial weapon for Hanoi Police. In a format where every point can directly affect the standings, a slip-up against a lower-rated opponent can completely change the situation quickly.