Former striker Nguyen Anh Duc (born in 1985) is the type of person who doesn’t like to talk much about himself. From his time as a player until his return as head coach of the team in Thu Dau Mot, he has always been quiet, patient, persistent and dedicated.
That is why Anh Duc's return to the coaching bench of Becamex TP.HCM Club (the new name of Becamex Binh Duong from July 2025) does not create much attraction. But for football fans in the land of Thu, perhaps this will be a turning point with many expectations. Because the person who continues the journey of the team is a part of the history of this club.
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Playing for B.Binh Duong Club (now B.TP.HCM), former striker Anh Duc won the V-League 4 times and the National Cup 2 times. Photo: character provided . |
The silent captain of the land of Thu
Since he was a young man who first came to Thu Dau Mot in 2006, Nguyen Anh Duc soon showed the appearance of a player who could become a reliable pillar. His simple playing style but smart movement and sensitive choice of scoring position helped Anh Duc create his own "unique quality" which was also rare in the domestic football scene at that time.
What stands out most is that, in more than a decade of being with the team, there were seasons when he had to play a "supporting role", giving up his starting position and the opportunity to shine to foreign strikers like Philani, Kesley or Abass. But Anh Duc never let his pride interfere with the common interests of the team.
He quietly waited for his chance, then exploded when needed, and eventually became the top domestic striker, helping the team win the V.League in 2007, 2008, 2014 and 2015, the National Cup in 2015 and 2018, and won the most prestigious individual award, the Vietnam Golden Ball 2015.
In the national team jersey, surely coach Park Hang-seo and many fans still remember Anh Duc's volley that scored against Malaysia in the second leg of the 2018 AFF Cup final - the goal that brought Vietnam to the Southeast Asian throne after 10 years of waiting.
It was not only a shining moment in his personal career, but also a worthy reward for a player who spent his entire youth fighting with determination and dedication.
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In his football career, Nguyen Anh Duc left a strong mark on the journey to win the AFF Cup 2018 with the Vietnamese team. Photo: Tam Minh. |
Baggage across the border
Off the field, Anh Duc also quietly did something extremely rare for a Vietnamese player to think of at that time: saving money to do business, preparing for life after football. While other players were still immersed in a "mountain" of salary, bonuses, and kickbacks, Anh Duc saved up to open a chain of sports stores, invest in hotels, restaurants, and many other fields.
"The Billionaire Who Plays Football" - the nickname fans gave him, not because of his extravagance, but because of their admiration for a person who knows how to think ahead and live fully with personal responsibility. Not stopping there, at the end of his football career, Anh Duc diligently attended coaching classes from VFF, AFC and quickly completed his professional certificate (AFC Pro).
That seriousness shows that this is not a "for show" transition, but a calculated journey, with the mindset of a student who is ready to become a teacher.
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Coach Nguyen Anh Duc is actively preparing for the 2025/26 season with Becamex HCM Club. Photo: BBD . |
Rebirth with football in Thu Dau Mot
In early May 2025, Anh Duc was appointed as head coach of his hometown team at a time when the club was facing many challenges: a fluctuating force, an unstable mentality after the transition period. But he did not say much.
"I understand this club, understand the players here and understand the pressure of a person wearing Binh Duong's shirt," he shared before his first official match as coach. But behind that short sentence is a whole depth: of memories, of experiences and of the love of football accumulated over 20 years of attachment.
When Anh Duc sat in the coaching cabin at Go Dau stadium, with his experienced eyes and warm voice on the sidelines, fans saw a glimpse of himself - the days when he was still playing.
A new journey begins, but it is also the continuation of a story that has been written with sweat, dedication and pride of the son of Thu. And perhaps, for Anh Duc, the most important thing is not which club he is coaching for, but that he himself is continuing to write a new chapter for the place he belongs to.
Source: https://znews.vn/hlv-anh-duc-viet-tiep-cau-chuyen-huyen-thoai-dat-thu-post1570746.html
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