Bangkok, 4 July, 2025 – Vietnamese clubs Nam Dinh and Hanoi Police FC have both landed in challenging groups following the official draw for the Shopee Cup 2025/26, held at 13:00 on July 4 in Bangkok, Thailand.
This year’s edition of the Shopee Cup, Southeast Asia’s premier club competition, will feature 12 teams after the withdrawal of both Indonesian representatives. Despite finishing as runners-up in the previous tournament, Hanoi Police FC were only seeded in Pot 4, while reigning V.League champions Nam Dinh were placed in Pot 3. The seeding has resulted in both Vietnamese clubs facing strong opposition in the group stage.
Hanoi Police FC will compete in Group A alongside Thai powerhouses Buriram United and BG Pathum United. The group also includes Selangor FC (Malaysia), Tampines Rovers (Singapore), and the winner of the playoff between Kasuka FC (Brunei) and DH Cebu FC (Philippines). The toughest challenges for coach Mano Polking’s side will undoubtedly come from Buriram United, the defending champions, and BG Pathum United — two of Thailand’s strongest clubs with continental pedigree.
Meanwhile, Nam Dinh find themselves in Group B, facing another formidable path. Their group includes Bangkok United (Thailand), Johor Darul Tazim (Malaysia), Lion City Sailors (Singapore), Svay Rieng (Cambodia), and the winner of the playoff between Ezra FC (Laos) and Shan United (Myanmar). Bangkok United and Johor Darul Tazim are well-known for their consistency and experience on the international stage, making them the biggest threats to Nam Dinh’s ambitions of progressing to the semifinals.
Both Hanoi Police FC and Nam Dinh will need to perform at their highest level to compete against the region’s best clubs. With only the top teams from each group advancing, every match will be crucial in the road to the Shopee Cup 2025/26 semifinals. The tournament promises high-stakes action and fierce regional rivalry as Southeast Asia’s elite clubs battle for glory.
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