The competition is too fierce for domestic strikers.
For over two decades (since its transition to professional football in the 2000-2001 season), the V-League has been a "difficult place to live" for domestic strikers. Foreign players usually take on the main goal-scoring role, while Vietnamese players mainly play on the wings, create chances, or provide tactical support. Therefore, a domestic player scoring over 10 goals is already a significant achievement, and the race for the top scorer title is almost automatically dominated by foreign strikers.
Dinh Bac has relieved the pressure and is currently in excellent form.
PHOTO: MINH TU
In the history of the professional V-League, only Nguyen Anh Duc has ever won the top scorer title as a domestic player. Last season, Tien Linh almost became the second, but due to a last-minute adjustment by the organizers (the goal scored against Hai Phong FC was changed to an own goal by Bui Tien Dung), the striker born in 1997 only scored 13 goals, one goal less than Alan of Hanoi Police FC. Without this "incident," Tien Linh would have even become the only Vietnamese player to have two seasons scoring 14 or more goals.
Those numbers partly show that Dinh Bac's current form is very special. If he continues his terrifying goal-scoring performance (1.67 goals/match), the striker from Nghe An could go down in history as one of the best domestic strikers in the V-League.
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The transformation of Dinh Bac
What's even more noteworthy is the way Dinh Bac scores. He's not the type of striker who stays "stuck" in the penalty box waiting for opportunities. The CAHN club player is allowed to move freely, dares to dribble, dares to challenge opponents, and is especially cool-headed in his final touches. From one-touch finishes and headers to high-speed counter-attacks, Dinh Bac shows remarkable improvement.
Of course, the road ahead is not easy. The club still has to face Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, and The Cong Viettel . These are all mid-table or higher-ranked opponents, so things will be very difficult. At the same time, when in top form, Dinh Bac will immediately become a target for "special attention." Defenses will certainly study Dinh Bac's movements more carefully, and limit the space behind the defense, where he is particularly dangerous with his acceleration and powerful runs.
Dinh Bac received the absolute trust of coach Alexandre Polking.
PHOTO: MINH TU
However, all four clubs don't play a possession-based style, favoring defensive counter-attacks. Therefore, CAHN FC will continue to maintain an overwhelming attacking style, thereby creating many opportunities for Dinh Bac. More importantly, he possesses something every striker needs when entering their peak form: confidence. A striker in peak form often has the ability to turn very small opportunities into goals. Dinh Bac currently provides that feeling whenever he touches the ball in the penalty area.
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Therefore, Dinh Bac's emergence is not simply a fluke of form. It also brings hope that the V-League can once again produce a domestic striker capable of competing on equal footing with foreign players, something extremely difficult to achieve. And the last four rounds will be a test for Dinh Bac. But even if he hasn't yet reached every historical milestone, Dinh Bac is proving that he is no longer a "rising star" but is gradually transforming into a true star.
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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dinh-bac-and-the-date-with-history-185260512104312665.htm
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