Lucas Vinicius scores hat-trick as CLB Ninh Bình mount stunning comeback to beat Hai Phong 4-1: The controversial return of the 'former player' at Lach Tray

On the evening of September 5, Lach Tray Stadium witnessed a memorable performance from Lucas Vinicius, affectionately known as Lucao by Vietnamese football fans. The Brazilian striker scored a hat-trick to help CLB Ninh Binh complete a stunning comeback, defeating hosts Hai Phong 4-1 in Round 1 of the V-League 2026-2027 season. Hai Phong opened the scoring early, putting pressure on the visitors. However, everything that followed belonged entirely to CLB Ninh Binh. Lucas Vinicius relentlessly breached the home team's defense with three goals, turning the match into his personal showcase. The 4-1 victory not only secured a full three points but also sent a powerful message from CLB Ninh Binh right from the season opener. What mattered most was not the score but the identity of the scorer. Lucas Vinicius had played for Hai Phong during the 2026-2026 period. For two seasons, the Brazilian striker was an integral part of the team's play, scoring numerous crucial goals and becoming a reliable marksman for Hai Phong throughout his tenure. It was no coincidence that Lach Tray became a special venue in Lucas Vinicius's career. Last season, upon joining The Cong - Viettel, he had already scored a brace against his former club Hai Phong in a 2-1 victory right at Lach Tray. At that time, Lucas Vinicius celebrated enthusiastically, but Hai Phong fans showed no significant negative reaction. Perhaps because it was only a brace, and the time since his departure was still short. But this time, everything was different. Lucas Vinicius scored not two but three goals. A hat-trick at his old stadium, in the colors of a different team, along with a confident celebration, sparked an unexpected controversy on social media forums. The official Hai Phong FC fanpage, named HPFC Capital, posted an uncivil comparison, using a dog image to describe Lucas Vinicius. The phrase "Raise a dog to see how loyal a dog is" was publicly posted right after the match and remains undeleted at the time of writing. The post quickly spread across Vietnamese football forums, attracting thousands of comments and shares. With only 7,800 followers, HPFC Capital is not the most influential channel in the Hai Phong fan community. However, when screenshots were taken and reposted on larger football forums, it triggered a strong wave of controversy in public opinion. Public reactions split into two distinct directions. A small minority agreed with HPFC Capital's behavior, arguing that Lucas Vinicius lacked respect by celebrating too enthusiastically against his former club. Some supportive comments read: "Right, the dog came back and bit three times and still celebrated happily." However, the majority of the online community condemned this behavior. Many Hai Phong fans directly expressed disagreement on HPFC Capital's own page. "I feel ashamed for Hai Phong people because of this admin," one comment wrote. Another stated: "This page admin does not represent Hai Phong fans." Some argued that the HPFC Capital admin was taking out frustration on a foreign player over the concept of loyalty, something they themselves could barely define in modern professional football. Most Vietnamese fans believed that criticizing Lucas Vinicius in this manner was both negative and uncivilized. Their argument centered on a basic principle: foreign players come to Vietnam to play football for money, and changing clubs is completely normal in professional football. One fan commented: "Professional football means acceptance. Even a Hai Phong-born player playing for another team must still give their all when returning to Lach Tray." Others went further, comparing professional football to other professions. "Watch football more civilized. It's also just a job to make money. You work for whoever pays you." Another sparked heated debate: "Playing football is working for a salary. Just like we go to work and get paid. The boss doesn't feed us. I'm just like him (Lucao) — whoever pays more, I go there. Simple as that!" In reality, Lucas Vinicius is not the first foreign player in the V-League to score against his former club and celebrate. Globally, it is an everyday occurrence for players to score against teams they previously played for, and is even seen as a sign of professionalism when a player gives their all for any club they represent. Major leagues worldwide such as the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A are full of similar situations, with virtually no club publicly criticizing former players for this. Lucas Vinicius's case is even more special given that he left Hai Phong through legitimate transfer, with no major conflicts or disputes with former management or teammates. His continued goal-scoring for other teams, even against Hai Phong, falls entirely within the normal framework of professional football transfers. Vietnamese football is on the path of integration and enhanced professionalism. The V-League is increasingly attracting attention from domestic and international audiences. In this context, it is hoped that Vietnamese fans in general, and the Hai Phong fan community in particular, will adopt more civilized and appropriate conduct toward players who have been associated with their club. A healthy football environment requires not only professionalism from players, coaches, and management but also civility from the fans themselves. CLB Ninh Binh claimed a 4-1 victory at Lach Tray, topping the V-League 2026-2027 standings after Round 1. As for Lucas Vinicius, with three goals against his former club, he proved that his form depends entirely on nothing but his own quality, regardless of which colors he wears. The match has ended, but the story about the boundary between loyalty and professionalism in football will undoubtedly be discussed for a long time to come.