Cong An TP.HCM Defeat Hanoi FC, Ninh Binh Rout Hai Phong on LPBank V-League Opening Day

Round 1 of LPBank V-League 2026-2027 produced two notable surprises. Cong An TP.HCM beat Hanoi FC 3-1 at home, while Ninh Binh defeated Hai Phong 4-1 at Lach Tray Stadium. The first win was a product of disciplined counter-attacking; the second was a remarkable second-half turnaround. Cong An TP.HCM were expected to struggle despite home advantage because Hanoi FC are one of the most decorated clubs in the V-League. The home side stayed patient, avoided rushed attacks and waited for space behind Hanoi's defence. At Lach Tray, Hai Phong opened the scoring before losing control after the break. The second goal for Cong An TP.HCM started with a long kick from the goalkeeper, and the midfielder finished from near the 16.50m line. Nguyen Tien Linh also got on the scoresheet. The tactical highlight was the fast transition play and sharp finishing. In the other match, Vinicius completed a hat-trick in the 51st, 73rd and 90+1 minutes to help Ninh Binh score four goals in the second half. One round is too small a sample for strong conclusions. Hanoi FC will not lose their identity after one defeat, and Cong An TP.HCM may struggle against deeper defensive blocks. Ninh Binh look promising, but Hai Phong could have suffered from a fitness decline. Without advanced data such as expected goals or pressing metrics, many tactical judgments remain incomplete. The real test of the season is consistency. Cong An TP.HCM and Ninh Binh must prove these results are not temporary, while Hanoi FC and Hai Phong need immediate responses. One round cannot decide the whole season, but it has already shown that teams lacking sharpness will be punished.