Công An Hà Nôi FC scripted history last year when they emerged as the champions of V.League 1 beating strong competition from their crosstown rivals Hanoi FC -- that too in their first season back in the Vietnamese top division.
There is also a new man in their dugout as Alexandre ‘Mano’ Polking took charge of the side in the middle of the 2023/24 season and will be tasked to guide Công An in its search for glory in the inaugural ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™.
Honours
Vietnamese First Division (2): 2023, 1984
Vietnamese Second Division (1): 2022
Club highlights
Having won the National A1 Football League in 1984, Công An Hà Nôi had to wait 39 years to claim the league title again in Vietnam when in 2023, bolstered by signings like Nguyen Quang Hai and Doan Van Hau, the newcomers finished level on points with Hanoi FC but pipped the defending champions to the title on a superior goal difference.
It wasn’t a cakewalk for Công An to the historic triumph as they overcame a poor start to the season, two managerial changes and a strong challenge from Hanoi FC to win the league under caretaker coach Tran Tien Dai, who had taken over the club from Flavio Cruz for the final rounds of the campaign.
Head coach: Alexandre Polking
Former Ho Chi Minh City FC boss Alexandre Polking returned to Vietnam in May to take charge of Công An Hà Nôi after the club had parted ways with Kiatisuk Senamuang. Polking comes in with a huge reputation having also coached clubs such as Bangkok United and Suphanburi FC and guiding Thailand national team to back-to-back AFF Championship titles in 2020 and 2022. Set for a full preseason under his belt, the Brazilian coach will hope to hit the ground running with Công An in the 2024/25 season.
Key player: Nguyen Quang Hai
After a stint with French club Pau, Nguyen Quang Hai returned to the city of Hanoi, but to join Công An and clinch the V.League 1 title. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder continued to impress during the 2023/24 campaign bagging eight goals and three assists despite the club finishing sixth in the league table. Quang Hai will once again hope to be instrumental for Công An, not just with his goalscoring exploits but also by creating opportunities for his teammates, as they resume their hunt for more silverware and the midfielder having committed his future to the club signing a new contract extension until 2027.
One to watch: Giap Tuan Duong
The 2023/24 season saw young defender Giap Tuan Duong establish himself as a starter for Công An Hà Nôi. The 21-year-old made 20 appearances in Công An’s attempt to defend their title playing either as a centre-back or a full-back. Tuan Duong also made his senior international debut in a 2-0 win against Palestine in September 2023 and was also part of the 26-man roster for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
Did you know?
With their V.League 1 triumph in 2023, Công An Hà Nôi became only the third club in history to win the Vietnamese top division in the very first season after promotion. The only clubs who achieved the same feat previously in Vietnam are Hoang Anh Gia Lai in 2003 and Dong Thap in 1989.
Shopee Cup fixtures
Công An Hà Nôi FC vs Buriram United (22 August, 2024)
Công An Hà Nôi FC vs Lion City Sailors FC (26 September, 2024)
Kaya FC-Iloilo vs Công An Hà Nôi FC (9 January, 2025)
Kuala Lumpur City FC vs Công An Hà Nôi FC (23 January, 2025)
Công An Hà Nôi FC vs Borneo FC Samarinda (6 February, 2025)
Photo: Công An Hà Nôi FC
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