Ninh Binh beats Hai Phong 4-1, Lucas Vinicius hat-trick sparks controversy with HPFC Capital fanpage

On the evening of September 5, Ninh Binh won a comeback victory against their hosts Hai Phong with a score of 4-1 at Lạch Tray Stadium in the opening match of the 2026-2027 V-League. The match was played at a high pace with both teams pressing strongly from start to finish. The visiting team Ninh Binh under the guidance of the head coach controlled the game better, especially in defense and quick counter-attacks. Meanwhile, Hai Phong on home soil showed clear weaknesses in coordination and decisiveness in scoring opportunities. The Ninh Binh starting lineup featured key players including goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and forwards, with several foreign players experienced in Asian competitions. They created many clear chances, gaining early psychological advantage in the first half. Hai Phong played high press but had defensive lapses in set pieces leading to early goals. The changes in Ninh Binh tactics helped them control the match tempo, especially after scoring first. Young players of Ninh Binh showed determination to compensate for absences. Hai Phong's substitute players failed to create pressure. Many comments from on-site fans praised Ninh Binh's disciplined play. This is the opening match for a V-League season full of drama, where clubs face factors like injuries, weather and motivation. Many analysts say this match proves the progress of Vietnamese football as clubs invest more in squads. But behind Ninh Binh success is the story of a Brazilian foreign player returning to Lạch Tray as an opponent. That is Lucas Vinicius, also known as Lucao, who played for Hai Phong from 2026-2026. In the match, Lucao scored a hat-trick, three goals against his former club. His previous double in the previous season also surprised many Hai Phong fans. This time, when Lucao celebrated the hat-trick, some Hai Phong supporters expressed displeasure. HPFC Capital fanpage posted an article comparing