Ho Chi Minh City, 21 September, 2025 – The clash at Go Dau Stadium on Sunday was more than just another V.League 1 fixture—it was the emotional homecoming of striker Nguyen Tien Linh, who returned to face Becamex Binh Duong, the club where he rose to stardom. For the first time in his career, the 1997-born forward stood on the opposite side of the pitch, and he made his mark early.
In just the 7th minute, Tien Linh silenced the familiar stands with a precise header following an accurate cross from Makrillos, giving Ho Chi Minh City Police FC the lead. In a display of respect, he chose not to celebrate, instead raising his hand in apology to the Becamex Ho Chi Minh (previously Binh Duong) supporters who had once cheered him on for years.
For much of the first half, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC held the advantage and looked set to control the game. However, drama unfolded shortly after the restart when Tien Linh, ironically, turned from hero to culprit. In an attempt to defend a corner, his clearance went awry, resulting in an own goal that leveled the match at 1-1 and stunned the visiting bench.
Fortunately for the visitors, rising talent Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong quickly restored their lead in the 59th minute. The young midfielder, a product of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai academy, showcased composure and maturity with a well-placed strike to make it 2-1. His goal not only lifted his side but also demonstrated his growing importance within the squad.
As the match wore on, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC looked increasingly comfortable. Substitute Van Binh sealed the victory in the dying stages, finishing neatly inside the box to complete a 3-1 triumph. The result marked a significant step forward for head coach Le Huynh Duc and his men, who climbed to second place in the standings with 10 points from five matches, keeping pace with the league leaders.
For Becamex Ho Chi Minh, however, the defeat extended their crisis. The club has now suffered three consecutive losses, leaving them with only three points and languishing in 10th place. Once considered a strong contender, Binh Duong must now regroup quickly to avoid slipping further down the table in what already looks to be a turbulent campaign.
Elsewhere, Song Lam Nghe An and Hong Linh Ha Tinh battled to a 1-1 draw at Vinh Stadium. The result kept the mid-table standings tight, with little separating several clubs after four rounds of play.
For Tien Linh, the evening was bittersweet. He both honored his past and underlined his present, scoring against the team that shaped his career while helping his new club continue their strong start to the season.
Quang Huy
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