Hot football news noon 10/8: CAHN makes opponents in AFC Champions League Elite wary

Adelaide United wary of Cong An Ha Noi, Malaysia plans to shock Vietnam; FIFA once considered joining Super League, while Chelsea reveals many issues and a series of major transfer deals are heating up.

Adelaide United wary of CAHN

Adelaide rushes preparation for the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite play-off against CAHN on August 11. The Australian representative has studied carefully the playing style, tactics, and personnel changes of the police force team. However, coach Carl Veart does not intend to overhaul the entire system, but will maintain the familiar core built from last season. Adelaide just lost 1-2 to South Melbourne in the Australia Cup, revealing some issues that need fixing.

The match against CAHN is described by midfielder Ryan White as a final, because Adelaide is eager to return to the Asian stage after many years of absence. Notably, Stefan Mauk, a former Adelaide player now with CAHN, may provide valuable information to the home side.

Malaysia plans to face Vietnam

After reaching the AFF Cup 2026 semi-finals, Malaysia immediately turned its attention to the clash with defending champions Vietnam. The newspaper The Star reported that interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe acknowledged his team is the underdog but will not be intimidated, because Malaysia has nothing to lose.

The Malayan Tigers will focus on three tasks: Studying Vietnam's recent matches thoroughly, raising the intensity of play, and improving the ability to withstand pressure. Although they just narrowly beat the Philippines, Malaysia still has limitations in creating chances and fitness. The first leg is on August 16 in Malaysia, before the two teams meet again at My Dinh three days later.

FIFA once considered joining the Super League

According to exclusive documents released by The Guardian , FIFA and the European Super League development group had significant exchanges starting from 2020. A draft term sheet from October 2020 even mentioned the possibility of renaming the competition to FIFA Super League, with FIFA potentially holding preferred shares and having a say in many key decisions.

The plan at that time envisioned 15 permanent clubs, 5 spots based on performance, along with a women's version and a global club tournament. These revelations are striking as they contradict FIFA president Gianni Infantino's later public stance opposing the Super League. However, the documents do not prove that FIFA ever reached a final agreement with the founding clubs.

Chelsea reveals many issues under Alonso

Chelsea escaped defeat against Johor Darul Ta'zim thanks to an own goal in the 89th minute, ending the friendly with a 3-3 draw. Xabi Alonso rotated the entire squad after facing AC Milan just one day earlier, but the performance in Malaysia still exposed many problems.

Liam Delap scored two penalties, but Chelsea currently has an overcrowded attacking force, with numerous options like Jackson, Joao Pedro, Welbeck, Guiu, and Palmer. A squad of 41 players also poses a personnel management challenge for Alonso. More worrying, Chelsea continued to show discipline issues as Delap, Jackson, and Estevao all received cards. This is a worrying sign given that The Blues received 11 red cards last season.

Transfer news

Chelsea is eyeing Fabian Ruiz as coach Xabi Alonso highly rates his compatriot. The Blues are reportedly ready to offer more than £51 million to persuade PSG to release the World Cup winner, even though the 30-year-old has a contract until 2029.

Meanwhile, Manchester United and Arsenal are competing for Club Brugge left-back Joaquin Seys, valued at around £30 million and also targeted by Newcastle, Aston Villa, Porto, and Benfica. At Old Trafford, Marcus Rashford has been given the number 14 shirt, opening the possibility that the English striker will continue to wear the Red Devils' jersey.

At Manchester City, Rodri is expected to return on August 14, while the club has rejected Barcelona's first offer and wants more than £60 million if they sell the Spanish midfielder.