Foreign player hat-trick helps Bac Ninh start favorably in National Cup

On the evening of September 19, at Long An stadium, Brenner Marlos stood at the center circle before the match, looking toward the nearly empty stands. He didn't know that 90 minutes later, his name would be etched into the memory of a city just upgraded to a centrally-governed city. Three goals. One match. And a tribute to everyone who believed in the miraculous promotion journey of Bac Ninh Football Club. Bac Ninh secured promotion to V-League 1 after finishing second in the First Division and defeating PVF-CAND in the promotion playoff. That was a fateful moment few dared to bet on at the start of the season. A club from a rural province, with a squad assessed as thinner than the rest of the league, stepped onto Vietnam's highest football stage with only faith and a foreign coach named Paulo Foiani. In just the second round of V-League, Bac Ninh created a shock by defeating championship contender Cong An TP.HCM 1-0. That victory was not merely three points, but a declaration: Bac Ninh did not come to survive the top flight boringly. The match against Long An in the National Cup qualifying round was an opportunity for Paulo Foiani to continue building the team's identity. Long An, playing in the First Division, desperately wanted their first win of the new season after losing 0-1 to Cong An Nhan Dan in round one. They played at home, with the advantage of the stands and the determination of a team that didn't want to be defeated by a higher-tier opponent right from the start. The first goal came from a set piece. Pham The Hung delivered a corner from the left flank, placed perfectly, and Brenner Marlos, with the instinct of a foreign striker, headed precisely into the far corner. The Long An stadium fell silent in that moment, as if everyone was witnessing the birth of a new story. Bac Ninh led 1-0 just before halftime. The second goal was built from a wide-crossing situation. Phan The Hung, once again playing the creator role, passed the ball from the left flank into the penalty area. Brenner moved cleverly between the two opposing center-backs, received the ball, and finished with one precise touch. The Long An goalkeeper couldn't react in time. The score became 2-0 for Bac Ninh. At this point, the match seemed already decided before the second half even began. But football is never as simple as the numbers on the scoreboard. Pham Van Dat, Bac Ninh's center-back, made an error in a clearance situation, letting the ball slip out of control, and the opponent quickly took advantage. Long An scored their second goal from chaos in the penalty area. The tide turned rapidly. From 3-0, Bac Ninh saw their lead cut to just one goal. Long An fans in the stands began singing, their cheers ringing out as if their team was winning, while the visitors struggled to hold on to their precarious victory. Brenner Marlos, throughout the match, operated like a conductor without a baton. He didn't run as much as the younger players, but every movement was purposeful. He understood that for a newly promoted team, depending on a single attacking point was a double-edged sword. If he scored, Bac Ninh won. If he went quiet, the entire team had to find another way to survive. And in this match, he completed the task with a perfect hat-trick. The third goal came from a penalty area situation that wasn't whistled, but Brenner created the opportunity himself. Vu Hong Quan's direct free kick hit the post, the ball bounced out, and Brenner was there at the right moment to tap it into the empty net. The Long An goal seemed to open before him. A 3-2 scoreline was a fragile margin, but enough for Bac Ninh to hold on and advance to the next round of the National Cup. When the match ended, Brenner Marlos held the ball like a keepsake. He knew this hat-trick was not just an individual achievement, but a thank you to Paulo Foiani, who believed in him when many questioned whether a newly promoted club should bet on a foreign striker. It was also a tribute to Bac Ninh supporters, those who rose from the difficult days of the First Division to climb to the highest stage with the team. Notably, just one day after the match, Bac Ninh was officially upgraded to a centrally-governed city from September 20. The team's victory became a welcome gift for this historic event. Paulo Foiani, at the post-match press conference, couldn't hide his joy: "This is the best gift for Bac Ninh city on this important day. The players performed with wonderful spirit, and I am proud of them." But he also admitted that the team needs to improve its ability to control matches when leading, to avoid unnecessary pressure in the closing minutes. On Long An's side, Romario Alves, the team's foreign striker, scored in this defeat. He played with full effort, but his team couldn't turn the tide. Two consecutive losses from the start of the season put Long An under heavy pressure from fans and media. Their coach will need to find ways to reverse the situation before the season drifts too far. Brenner Marlos is not a player born into fame or expected from childhood. He came to Vietnam with experience from various leagues and a desire to prove his worth. The hat-trick at Long An stadium was the perfect answer to all who ever doubted him. But more importantly, it demonstrated that Vietnamese football is increasingly opening its doors to foreign talents, those who bring not only individual skills but also an unending fighting spirit. Bac Ninh, with this victory, has had a favorable start on both fronts: V-League and National Cup. However, challenges remain ahead. The team needs to prove that Brenner's hat-trick is not a temporary phenomenon, but the beginning of a longer journey. They need to build a squad deep enough not to depend entirely on a single attacking point, and improve defensive ability in the closing minutes to not squander the achievements they've built. Long An stadium was silent as Bac Ninh players left the field. No fireworks, no long applause, just the sound of studs on grass and the heavy breathing of those who had just won. But for Brenner Marlos, for Paulo Foiani, and for everyone who accompanied Bac Ninh on this journey, it was an unforgettable night. A night when the ball not only rolled on the grass, but rolled through the dreams of a city in transformation.