Striker Dinh Bac: 'I have reflected on myself'

Nguyen Dinh Bac emerged as a standout player for Vietnam in the 3-1 win against Cambodia, contributing to the team's achievement of finishing first in Group A of the ASEAN Cup 2026 under coach Kim Sang Sik.

After the match at My Dinh Stadium, the 2004-born striker could not hide his joy at playing in the passionate atmosphere of a large crowd. Dinh Bac was especially impressed by the quality of the pitch after its renovation.

"The My Dinh grass is so beautiful. Playing on such a good pitch helps players feel more confident in executing their tactics. I am also delighted that many fans came to the stadium to cheer and give extra motivation to the whole team," Dinh Bac shared.

Not only discussing his on-field performance, the Vietnam striker also reflected on his recent journey. After some career ups and downs, Dinh Bac said he had taken time to think and make changes.

"I have looked back at myself. I understand that I need to work harder and improve myself more to meet the expectations of the coaching staff, teammates, and fans," the CAHN Club striker expressed.

According to Dinh Bac, the experiences over the past period have helped him grow both professionally and mentally. The striker from Nghe An affirmed that he will continue to strive to maintain his form and contribute more to the Vietnam national team in the upcoming journey.

The performance against Cambodia, along with his post-match remarks, showed a more mature Dinh Bac—not only in his playing style but also in his mindset. That is also what coach Kim Sang Sik hopes for, wishing that his student will not stop at the success of the ASEAN Cup but aim for greater goals in the future.

"I feel sorry and guilty towards Dinh Bac for substituting him off before the end of the first half in the draw against Singapore. But Dinh Bac understood and accepted the sacrifice for the team. The whole team and he himself overcame the difficult situation from that draw to play well today, with Dinh Bac scoring two goals," coach Kim Sang Sik commented about his favorite student.