The hero who unexpectedly helped a V.League newcomer earn promotion admitted one thing.

Goalkeeper Huynh Tuan Linh stood out with three penalty stops, contributing greatly to Bac Ninh FC's promotion to V.League 2026/27. Nonetheless, the game's hero stated that fortune had a role in the win.

Without scoring a goal or directly taking the decisive shots, Huynh Tuan Linh was the most talked-about name after the historic victory of Bac Ninh FC over PVF-CAND in the playoff match for a V.League 2026/27 spot.The experienced goalkeeper became a hero with his outstanding performance in the tense penalty shootout.

On Ha Tinh Stadium on the evening of June 12, Bac Ninh FC faced numerous challenges against PVF-CAND. After 90 minutes of regular time, the two teams were tied 1-1, forcing a penalty shootout. This was when the composure of seasoned players came to the fore, especially Huynh Tuan Linh between the posts.

Although Bac Ninh were at a disadvantage when Bruno Cunha missed his spot kick, the Kinh Bac team staged a remarkable comeback. Huynh Tuan Linh repeatedly neutralized PVF-CAND's attempts, saving as many as three penalties to help his team win 5-4 in the shootout. This extraordinary performance opened the door to V.League for Bac Ninh FC just a short time after their establishment.

After the match, the goalkeeper born in 1991 remained humble about his role. He shared: "Penalties are a game of luck. But Bac Ninh Club prepared very thoroughly for this shootout. We studied each player and their shooting style. Luck was involved, but only partly. I am very confident in my penalty-saving ability. In the past, I won a penalty shootout in the 2016 National Super Cup against Hanoi FC. The promotion ticket is a well-deserved achievement for Bac Ninh Club, as our squad has many experienced players who have played in V-League, and we also pass on that experience to the younger ones."

Huynh Tuan Linh's remarks show that Bac Ninh's success came not only from individual brilliance but also from meticulous preparation. The experience of players who had spent years competing in V.League helped the team stay calm at the most decisive moment of the season.

At 35, Huynh Tuan Linh once again proved his worth. After a season in the First Division, the veteran goalkeeper played a major role in bringing Bac Ninh FC to the highest stage of Vietnamese football. And on that emotional night in Ha Tinh, he was the name most mentioned by fans when discussing the promotion journey of the Kinh Bac team.