Ninh Bình secured a resounding 4-1 victory against Hải Phòng in the opening match of the 2026-2027 V-League season, played at Lạch Tray Stadium on September 5th. Despite the absence of key players Hoàng Đức and Tài Lộc, Ninh Bình showcased a strong performance. Lucao starred for Ninh Bình, netting a hat-trick against his former team, Hải Phòng. This impressive feat was central to Ninh Bình's dominant display. The match kicked off at 6:00 PM and set a positive tone for Ninh Bình’s campaign. Hải Phòng struggled to contain Ninh Bình’s attacking prowess, resulting in a decisive defeat on their home turf.