Young striker Dinh Bac returns: Coach Kim Sang-sik 'kills two birds with one stone'?

Dinh Bac recovers quickly

During the U.22 Vietnam gathering on the occasion of FIFA Days in March, Dinh Bac broke the toe of his right foot. According to the diagnosis at that time, the striker born in 2004 was expected to rest for at least 3 months to fully recover and was likely to miss the 2024-2025 V-League season. But up to this point, Dinh Bac's injury has been recorded as having positive changes. The young striker from Nghe An is likely to return to play for the Hanoi Police Club at the end of the season. Dinh Bac's return is a positive signal for the Hanoi Police Club's attack, especially in the context that key striker Leo Artur has to rest for the rest of the season due to a serious injury.

Dinh Bac (right) played for the Vietnamese national team many times under Mr. Troussier.

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

Dinh Bac's recovery from injury has partly helped coach Polking solve the problem of force, especially in the front line. The striker, once considered the "favorite student" of former coach of the Vietnam national team Philippe Troussier, possesses good speed, plays aggressively and has the ability to create breakthroughs. Before suffering a broken toe injury, Dinh Bac was given the opportunity by Mr. Polking to play in many matches within the framework of the V-League and the Southeast Asian Cup C1 this season. In the V-League 2024 - 2025, the former striker of Quang Nam Club has left a certain impression with 1 goal and 2 assists.

More options for coach Kim Sang-sik

If Dinh Bac returns at this time, this is good news for the Hanoi Police Club and especially for coach Kim Sang-sik (who is in charge of both the U.22 and the Vietnam national team). The striker from Nghe An will have the opportunity to play for his club, thereby regaining his ball feeling, fitness... before entering the FIFA Days in early June. Similar to March, the U.22 and the Vietnam national team will likely gather at the same time. In particular, the important task of coach Kim Sang-sik and his students is the match against the Malaysian team on June 10 at the away stadium (Bukit Jalil), within the framework of the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup. This is considered a pivotal match, when Vietnam and Malaysia directly compete for a ticket to the final round of the largest playground in the continent.

In case Dinh Bac achieves good form after his return, the striker born in 2004 can completely become a viable option for coach Kim Sang-sik. At the moment, the Vietnamese team's attack is being damaged because Nguyen Xuan Son has not recovered from the injury he suffered from the 2024 AFF Cup. In addition, young striker Bui Vi Hao, considered a pillar of the U.22 team and a potential player in the Vietnamese team, has just undergone surgery due to an ankle injury, is expected to be off the field for 6-8 months, and is at risk of missing the 2026 U.23 Asian qualifiers (September) and even the 33rd SEA Games in December in Thailand.

In fact, coach Kim Sang-sik can "kill two birds with one stone" when giving Dinh Bac a chance. The Korean captain has just strengthened the squad for the Vietnamese team in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, thereby further training the 21-year-old striker to aim for a ticket to the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship and especially win the 33rd SEA Games gold medal.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chan-sut-tre-dinh-bac-tro-lai-hlv-kim-sang-sik-mot-cong-doi-viec-185250430211456903.htm