Adelaide United thoroughly studies CAHN before the Champions League Elite playoff match

Adelaide United is completing its last preparations for welcoming CAHN in the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite playoff. The Australian representative has dedicated significant effort to studying the Vietnamese team, viewing this game as especially important for its goal of returning to the premier Asian stage.

According to information from Adelaide United, the Australian club has focused on analyzing CAHN in recent training sessions. Goalkeeper Joshua Smits stated that the coaching staff and players have gathered essential information about the opponent's playing style and squad strength.

"We have done quite a bit of research on them this week. We know how they play, and they also have some new players in their lineup," Smits shared.

Despite showing respect for CAHN, Adelaide United has no intention of completely altering their own style to adapt to the opponent. Smits said the Australian team remains focused on the tactical system and principles established from the previous season.

Adelaide holds an advantage as most of the core squad and coaching staff have been retained. However, the A-League representative also faces a challenge regarding match fitness, as the new season in Australia has not yet begun.

Adelaide United's most recent official match was a 1-2 loss to South Melbourne in the Round of 32 of the Australia Cup. Craig Goodwin put Adelaide ahead in the 4th minute, but Carl Veart's side then allowed the opponent to come from behind.

This result served as a warning for Adelaide ahead of the clash with CAHN. After the match, the coaching staff reviewed the performance with the players, analyzing shortcomings and making adjustments in subsequent training sessions.

Midfielder Ryan White said the entire team has identified issues that need improvement. Notably, the Adelaide United player compared the upcoming match against CAHN to a final.

"This is like our final. It's only the second game of the season, but it's a huge match," White said.

Adelaide United's high regard for this game also stems from the chance to return to the continental stage after a long absence. The South Australian club has not played an official match in Asian competition since 2017.

Captain Craig Goodwin previously praised CAHN and stated that Adelaide must thoroughly study the Vietnamese representative. The goal of the Hindmarsh Stadium side is not only to surpass the playoff round but also to secure a place in the League Stage of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite.

Another notable figure is Stefan Mauk. The CAHN midfielder spent several years with Adelaide United and is very familiar with the football environment there. Mauk assessed the balance of power between the two teams as fairly even and predicted a tight contest.

The Adelaide United - CAHN match takes place on August 11 at Hindmarsh Stadium (Coopers Stadium). The winner will earn a spot in the League Stage of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite, while the loser will drop to the AFC Champions League Two.

For Adelaide United, home advantage and a relatively stable core are significant assets. However, being in the preseason period and having suffered a loss in the Australia Cup indicate that the A-League side still has issues to resolve before facing CAHN.