Alexandré Pölking may never have resided in Singapore. But given he has been involved in Southeast Asian football for 15 years, he is no stranger to the country.
In fact, the island nation just happens to be the venue of what is arguably the highlight of his coaching career thus far.
It was back in 2021, or rather -- from the end of that year up until New Year's Day of 2022 -- when the Brazilian led Thailand to success in the ASEAN Championship -- postponed from the year before due to the coronavirus pandemic, which was the first of two back-to-back regional crowns he would win with the War Elephants.
Having also coached Thai League 1 outfits Bangkok United, Suphanburi and the now-defunct Army United, as well has having started out in the country as a national team assistant to Winfried Schäfer, Pölking is best known for his time in Thailand.
He has since moved on to Vietnamese football. Now into his third season with Công An Hà Nội, Pölking tasted glory in both cup competitions in his first year at the helm before winning the main prize last term in the form of the V.League 1.
But CAHN aren't just looking to make waves domestically. They also are looking to have an impact on the regional and continental stage.
And as they begin this season's travails in the ASEAN Club Championship -- also known as the Shopee Cup -- their opening encounter brings Pölking back to a familiar land, when they take on Singapore Premier League champions Lion City Sailors at Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday evening.
"It's always a pleasure to be here," Pölking said, in Wednesday's prematch news conference.
"It's the city and country -- the National Stadium -- [where I won] my first time with the [Thailand] national team. It was COVID time -- a special time -- but some very nice memories for me, even [previously] with the [Thailand] national team or with a club now.
"We are warmly welcomed. All the infrastructure and facilities are very well organised. We like to be here but, tomorrow, we have a very tough game. We have to be focused to play a very strong team.
"Lion City Sailors have a lot of familiar faces -- a lot of players that we know for a long time. The coach [former Buriram United tactician Mark Jackson] was also in Thailand.
"I hope we can have an entertaining game for the fans [and] for the competition. We are happy to be here but, at the same time, totally focused to try and get the three points."
Unlike the Sailors, who beat BG Tampines Rovers to win the curtain-raising Community Shield before being held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by Hougang United in their league opener followed by a 1-1 tie with BG Pathum United in the AFC Champions League Two, CAHN have made a perfect start to the new term -- domestically, at least.
From the campaign-opening Vietnamese Super Cup and the first three games of the new V.League 1 season, CAHN have racked up four straight wins -- scoring 11 goals and conceding none in the process.
There was also another impressive win and clean sheet away to A-League Men outfit Adelaide United, which sealed their place in the AFC Champions League Elite.
However, a humbling 4-1 loss to J1 League giants Gamba Osaka on their tournament debut gives Pölking evidence that there is still improvement to come from his team.
"Normally, we always try to go with the same strategy, the same plan," he added.
"Of course, in the V.League, last year we had a great [campaign], where we were champions. This season, we've started very well.
"At the same time, we went to Japan and conceded four goals -- so it's not only about those clean sheets. It's really about which opponent you are facing, and what you can do and what you can deliver.
"We expect a very tough game against the Sailors. [They have] almost the whole national team of Singapore, plus a lot of good foreign players.
"It's a totally different game, different competition. We always say we will never lose the focus on the V.League. That is always our main target. We want to be the clear number one in Vietnam.
"But at the same time, this kind of games -- Shopee Cup, plus the Champions League -- I believe are the games that challenge us and helping us to keep improving a lot.
"That's why we're happy to be here."
Back in the 2024-25 campaign, Pölking's first season at the club saw him lead CAHN to the ASEAN Club Championship final -- where they agonisingly lost to Buriram on penalties following a thrilling 5-5 aggregate draw after extra-time.
Expected to make a title challenge last term as well, CAHN fell to a disappointing group-stage exit -- leaving them with no shortage of motivation to go far once again in 2026-27.
"We understand that the Shopee Cup is a big competition that gathers the biggest clubs in Southeast Asia, and we understand that -- whenever Công An Hà Nội enters this competition-- we always aim to have the best result," said defender Đoàn Văn Hậu.
"We reached the final two years ago. Unfortunately, we could not win the trophy yet.
"So once again, for this season, we would like to compete to reach the best result possible. Hopefully, we can have a good performance against Lion City Sailors, and start the competition with the best result to go as far as we can in this competition."