Dinh Bac knows what he needs to do with his career.
Following Hanoi Police FC's resounding victory over Tampines Rovers in the AFC Champions League, coach Mano Polking was not only pleased with the team's performance but also had a special message for Dinh Bac. Amidst the expectations, the 21-year-old striker seems to have found his own answer.
A resounding 4-0 victory against the Singaporean representative has put CAHN Club one step closer to the quarter-finals. Captain Quang Hai scored a brace, one goal was scored by a foreign player, and the winning goal was scored by Dinh Bac in the 90+2 minute.
But at Hang Day Stadium, people weren't just talking about the score. Coach Mano Polking chose to emphasize the team spirit and the maturity of each individual, including Dinh Bac – the name receiving the most expectations.
" Congratulations to my players, they did very well. We are a united team, always fighting for each other. The players who came on from the bench also contributed a lot, helping to maintain the game and score more goals," Coach Polking shared.
Despite the emphatic victory, the Brazilian strategist remained cautious: “This was a 180-minute match, and we’ve only completed half the task. The whole team needs to stay focused when we go to Singapore and continue to show fighting spirit to achieve our goal of advancing to the next round.”
Amidst that overall picture, Dinh Bac stood out. Coming on as a substitute, the 21-year-old striker moved energetically, played confidently, and scored with a goal that clearly demonstrated his technical skills.
At the WeChoice Awards 2025 gala, he also shared about his celebration style: "Regarding that celebratory moment, I would like to keep it to myself. And I think I will relive that moment many times throughout my career. Thank you." And Dinh Bac kept his promise when he scored a goal on the evening of February 11th.
Photo: Minh Tú
"I understand that Dinh Bac has played very well at the U.23 level and shown excellent form. But our job is not to rush or push him too quickly. He still has a lot to learn and develop, so we need to give him time. Today, when he came on, he made some great movements, fought strongly, and showed his quality. We know what we are doing and are creating the conditions for him to develop properly. As I said many months ago, I believe he will be the next one to make a big impact," Coach Polking emphasized.
Coach Polking and Quang Hai held a press conference on the evening of February 11th.
Photo: Minh Tú
Polking's message was clear: talent needs to be nurtured, not rushed. “He’s only 21, he’s ready, but he can still get much better. I’m very happy that Dinh Bac has experienced players like Quang Hai, Van Hau, Viet Anh… who have been in similar situations. I’m sure they will help him understand that this is a process. He’s doing very well and we’re very pleased. Today he scored again, a goal that showed excellent quality. The most important thing is to continue to maintain this progress.”
That message became even more noteworthy when, after the match, Đình Bắc wrote a cryptic message on his personal page: "Shorts and a jersey suit me better than everyone else, don't they?"
Dinh Bac's cryptic status update received a huge amount of interaction.
Photo: FBNV
A very short sentence, but enough to understand that this young striker is aware of what he is pursuing. Amidst the offers, opportunities off the pitch, and the pressure of fame, Dinh Bac seems to have chosen to respond through football.
In the whirlwind of top-level football, where expectations and pressure always go hand in hand, Dinh Bac is placed in an environment that is both challenging and protective. He has goals, the trust of the coach, and guidance from senior players. More importantly, he seems to have understood what he needs to do with his career: continue wearing the "shorts and jersey," take slow but steady steps, and let football answer for all the hype.
Coach Polking spoke very well about the goals of CAHN Club.
Coach Polking also shared more about the team's professional spirit as CAHN Club will play the return match on February 18th (the second day of the Lunar New Year of the Horse).
He said: “In Brazil, we often say that each person has two hearts. One heart makes me feel sorry for the players, because they want to be with their families and loved ones. But the other heart reminds me that this is our job.”
We are representing Vietnam, representing the Vietnamese flag in a very important tournament. We need to be here and we have to win. I hope that afterwards, I can give them a few days off to be with their families. But right now, the task is work, it's about love for football. The players are very professional, and that's what we have to do.”
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/quan-dui-ao-so-hop-voi-bac-hon-moi-nguoi-nhi-185260212080934802.htm
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