Brenner's hat-trick helps Bac Ninh Club open National Cup campaign with a win

Bac Ninh entered the 2026-2027 National Cup qualifying round with the mentality of a newly promoted side, full of confidence after a 1-0 win over title candidate Cong An TP.HCM in V-League Round 2. Coach Paulo Foiani had reasons to trust his players, as his team had overcome PVF-CAND in the playoff to earn promotion to the top flight. Their opponent was Long An, a team desperate for their first win of the new season after a 0-1 defeat to Cong An Nhan Dan in First Division Round 1. The difference in class was evident from the opening minutes, as Bac Ninh controlled the game and constantly pressured the home side's goal. In the 14th minute, from a corner kick, a Bac Ninh defender rose highest to head the ball into the net. The goal came from a set-piece situation, showing the visitors' thorough preparation for dead-ball scenarios. Bac Ninh did not stop there. In the 15th minute, Phan The Hung made a smart run down the left flank before delivering a cross into the box for Brenner Marlos, the Brazilian striker, who controlled cleanly and finished from close range to double the lead. Brenner, with the ideal physique of a focal center-forward, had an outstanding match as he consistently won aerial and physical duels against the Long An defense. His presence created a clear target for every pass from the backline, causing constant problems for the home side's defense. In the 19th minute, Vu Hong Quan took a dangerous direct free kick. The ball hit the post of the Long An goal before rebounding perfectly for Brenner to head home. The Brazilian striker did not miss the opportunity, completing his hat-trick and extending Bac Ninh's lead to 3-0. The three goals came from different situations but all showcased Brenner's clinical finishing and remarkable ability to seize opportunities. It was the clearest evidence of Bac Ninh's reliance on their imported forward for goals. The match seemed to be over as a contest, but Long An suddenly fought back with intensity after the third goal. The home side woke up and immediately pushed their formation forward to attack. In the 70th minute, they pulled one goal back to make it 1-3. The constant pressure weighed heavily on the Bac Ninh defense, forcing the visitors to retreat deep into their own half. About ten minutes later, Long An scored their second goal following a scramble inside the penalty area. Bac Ninh center-back Van Dat made a failed clearance, allowing Romario Alves, the Brazilian foreign player for Long An, to score and reduce the deficit to 2-3. The final minutes were tense as Long An threw everything forward in search of an equalizer, but luck was not on their side. The 3-2 victory confirmed Bac Ninh's progression to the next round and bolstered the confidence of the newly promoted club. As Bac Ninh city officially became a centrally-governed city on September 20, this victory was framed as a meaningful gift for local residents. Coach Paulo Foiani and his players delivered an impressive debut in the National Cup, asserting their status as a developing club. However, this win also exposed inherent weaknesses that the Bac Ninh coaching staff must address soon. Conceding two goals in about 15 minutes from a commanding position revealed a lack of concentration and game management in defense. Van Dat's individual error is a worrying signal, and the heavy dependence on Brenner Marlos for goals is a potential risk. If the Brazilian striker suffers an injury or loss of form, who will take on the goalscoring responsibility for Bac Ninh? This question awaits an answer in the upcoming V-League rounds.