Hot Football News This Afternoon, August 12: Indonesia Goes All In at FIFA ASEAN Cup

Hanoi Police FC achieves a historic milestone in the Asian Champions League, Indonesia's national team commits fully to the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup, and Ronaldo ties the knot with Georgina, with Arsenal suddenly pursuing Kounde.

Indonesia Ready to Go All In

After failing at the 2026 AFF Cup, Indonesia is now focusing its efforts on the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup with the aim of competing for the championship. Notably, coach John Herdman may welcome back a host of naturalized players such as Maarten Paes, Emil Audero, Jay Idzes, Kevin Diks, Calvin Verdonk, Elkan Baggott, and Justin Hubner.

With nearly their strongest squad, Indonesia promises to be a formidable opponent for Vietnam. The strength of the team from the archipelago has been proven when they defeated China, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and advanced to the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. If the two teams meet, it will be an important test for coach Kim Sang-sik in preparation for future major goals.

Adou Minh Officially Acquires Vietnamese Citizenship

Right after CAHN secured a historic spot in the AFC Champions League Elite, the police football club received more good news when central defender Nguyen Adou Legley Minh officially completed procedures and obtained Vietnamese citizenship. This change gives CAHN an additional domestic player option and deepens the squad for the 2026/27 season. Adou Minh is also expected to become a new choice for the Vietnamese national team's defense at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.

Last season, the defender born in 1997 made 24 appearances, playing 1,692 minutes, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist. Having developed in French football, Adou Minh previously played for Grenoble, Annecy, and Racing Besancon before moving to Vietnam, where he played for Hong Linh Ha Tinh and then CAHN.

England National Team Once Had a Close Call Over Bomb Scare on Bus

The England national team faced a frightening moment before the World Cup semifinal against Argentina when a bomb warning emerged on the bus carrying Harry Kane and his teammates. According to Informacion.es, a sniffer dog marked an area suspected of containing explosives, prompting security forces to immediately check. However, another sniffer dog later determined the warning was false. Reports suggest the real cause was a mechanical issue and oil leak.

Notably, the World Cup also recorded several other threats targeting top figures and stars. Lionel Messi faced a bomb threat at the stadium, while Cristiano Ronaldo was also under warning after a suspicious person inquired about his accommodation.

Messi Absent, Inter Miami Faces Difficult Period

Lionel Messi has temporarily left Inter Miami to return to Argentina with his family to attend the funeral of his father, Jorge Messi. Coach Guillermo Hoyos admitted this is a major loss and Messi needs time to overcome the grief.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami still has to play without their Argentine captain, while also facing pressure after the defeat to Rayados, which affected their chances of reaching the 2026 Leagues Cup quarterfinals. Hoyos' team will face Leon in the final group stage match before aiming for a game against Nashville. Attention now focuses on when Messi might return to the pitch, but Inter Miami is likely to prioritize giving the 39-year-old star more time with his family.

Arsenal Surprisingly Targets Kounde

Arsenal is considering signing Jules Kounde, as Barcelona is reportedly ready to sell the French defender if they receive a sufficiently attractive offer. Mikel Arteta values Kounde's versatility, especially with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber facing fitness issues. Compared to Ezri Konsa, who is priced at around £60 million, Kounde is seen as a worthwhile option due to his ability to play both center-back and right-back.

Fabrizio Romano also commented that the French international could be a smart solution for Arsenal. However, no official negotiations have taken place, and Kounde remains settled at Barcelona. The deal could only happen if Barcelona sets a suitable price and the player agrees to leave.

Indonesian Fans Feel Bittersweet as CAHN Makes History in Asia's Top Club Competition

CAHN continues to make a big impact by defeating Adelaide United 2-0 on Australian soil, becoming the first Vietnamese club to get past the AFC Champions League play-off and secure a spot in the 2026/27 ACLE. This success has left many Indonesian fans feeling bittersweet, as no club from the archipelago has a representative in Asia's most prestigious club competition. CAHN will join 15 teams from the East region to compete for 8 knockout spots, including big names like Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, and Shanghai Port.

In another notable development, Cristiano Ronaldo officially married Georgina Rodriguez after nearly 10 years together, while the European transfer market continues to heat up with a series of major deals.