Southeast Asian Club Cup Draw: Vietnam Faces Tough Challenge

The draw for the 2026/27 Shopee Cup has resulted in compelling groups, with current champion Buriram United set to defend its crown, and V.League titleholder CAHN meeting a series of strong Southeast Asian rivals.

The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) conducted the group stage draw for the 2026/27 Shopee Cup (ASEAN Club Championship), a tournament featuring the region's top clubs. The results produced several notable matchups, with reigning V.League champion Hanoi Police (CAHN) placed in a highly competitive group.

According to the draw results, CAHN is in Group B alongside strong opponents including Johor Darul Ta'zim (Malaysia), Port FC (Thailand), Lion City Sailors (Singapore), PKR Svay Rieng (Cambodia), Persib Bandung (Indonesia), and the winner of playoff 2.

This is seen as a major challenge for the Vietnamese representative, as Johor Darul Ta'zim is the top force in Malaysian football, while Lion City Sailors and Persib Bandung both possess quality squads and extensive international experience.

In Group A, defending Shopee Cup champion Buriram United will begin its title defense with matches against Ratchaburi FC, Kuching City FC, Tampines Rovers, Borneo FC Samarinda, the Vietnamese National Cup winner, and the winner of playoff 1.

With both Buriram and Ratchaburi in the group, Group A is expected to see dominance from Thai representatives. However, the slot occupied by the Vietnamese National Cup champion still promises surprises when the tournament officially kicks off.

The 2026/27 Shopee Cup continues to be seen as a premier arena for Southeast Asian club football. As the reigning V.League champion, CAHN carries high expectations from Vietnamese fans on its journey to conquer the regional stage, while Buriram United is determined to defend the title it won last season.