V-League 2026-2027: Huynh Tan Sinh sparks outrage with repeated kick, Dong Nai lose 0-3 to Hanoi Police

On September 20, 2026, Hanoi Police FC beat Dong Nai FC 3-0 in a V-League 2026-2027 round 3 match. The result, however, was overshadowed by a controversial incident in the 78th minute. Nguyen Dinh Bac, a 22-year-old forward for Hanoi Police, was holding the ball in midfield when Huynh Tan Sinh approached from behind and kicked him twice in the leg. Bac lost his balance and fell. The referee only showed a yellow card. Fans reacted angrily on social media. Many said Tan Sinh should have been sent off. One supporter wrote: "Tan Sinh, we are colleagues. You must respect a fellow player's legs." Another wrote: "This is ugly and unacceptable. It was an intentional attempt to injure an opponent." Many called for strong disciplinary action. Earlier in the match, Dong Nai had already been reduced to ten men after Van Son received a red card in the 16th minute for a foul on Dinh Bac. That context made the late incident even more sensitive. Dong Nai struggled tactically after the red card and could not cope with Hanoi Police's control. The 3-0 scoreline reflected the gap in quality, but the bigger story was the behavior of the home players. Tan Sinh, born in 2026, is not an inexperienced player. He was part of Vietnam's U20 team and the U23 side that won gold at the 2026 SEA Games. He has won the V-League with Hanoi FC, Hanoi Police FC, and Quang Nam. His violent challenge on Bac therefore shocked many fans. The match leaves an important lesson about discipline, respect, and the future of Vietnamese football.