Young midfielder is first star to emerge in Troussier era

It was the 16th minute of the match at the Al Thumama Stadium, and Vietnam were about to take a corner.

A Takumi Minamino goal had Vietnam trailing early in the game with their spirit somewhat dented.

And then emerged an unlikely hero.

The seventh youngest player in the tournament hit a reverse header that drove the ball into the top left corner of Zion Suzuki’s net, a testament to Bac’s great instinct for goals.

 

 

Young midfielder is first star to emerge in Troussier era

VN gỡ hòa

It was reminiscent of the famous goal scored by fellow Nghe An-born striker Le Cong Vinh against Thailand to secure Vietnam the 2008 AFF Cup title.

Until 2023 Bac was an unknown playing for the Quang Nam FC B team in the third tier of the Vietnamese league.

Because of his small size, he had been rejected by Song Lam Nghe An academy.

Determined to continue, he headed to Tam Ky City in Quang Nam, to achieve his professional football dreams.

He made Quang Nam FC’s first team in 2023 and played in V. League 2. His season was off to a slow start, but after snapping a seven-match drought with a goal at home against PVF-CAND, Bac went on an unstoppable scoring streak.

He ended the season with eight goals and seven assists and was named the 2023 V. League 2 Player of the Season.

Quang Nam FC coach Van Sy Son praises the "enormous will" of his player while speaking with VnExpress.

"He did not quit after rejection, and that shows the determination of a young player. He has big dreams like every youngster, but is also very grounded and willing to learn.

"The senior players and coaching staff have paid very close attention to his development, and it is now up to his determination to realize his potential."

Despite his meteoric rise at club level, Bac only started to gain the attention of football fans after playing for Vietnam Under-23 at the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifier in September 2023, where he scored one goal from the penalty spot in a 2-2 draw against Singapore.

As Vietnam had already secured a spot at the tournament in Qatar, Bac was one of eight relatively fresh faces to be given a start to prove themselves.

Coach Philippe Troussier once again showed faith in Bac when he called him up for the national team for the Asiad in October 2023.

Although Vietnam failed to make it out of the group stages, Bac, who started all three matches, impressed the coach enough to get another surprise cap in the 2026 FIFA World Cup second qualifier.

In the match against the Philippines on Nov. 16, Bac was brought in for Pham Tuan Hai in the 76th minute. He left his mark with a wickedly bouncing shot from outside the box in the 94th minute that sealed a 2-0 win for Vietnam.

The goal gave fans an exciting glimpse of the creative player Bac was turning into, as he breezed past the Philippines defenders with his powerful strides and great speed.

After scoring his first international goal, Bac ran to Troussier and hugged the Frenchman to express his gratitude for trusting him.

Nguyen Dinh Bac hugs coach Philippe Troussier after scoring against the Philippines in a 2026 World Cup qualification match, Nov. 16, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Hieu Luong

"When I first worked with him, I realized that Bac had rare potential for a Vietnamese player," Quang Nam FC coach Son says.

"He has speed, power and agility. I have not seen a Vietnamese player with such agility since Pham Van Quyen."

In his playing days striker Quyen was regarded as one of Vietnam's brightest young talents and won the 2003 Golden Ball.

"You could see it when the Japanese player was forced to foul him and hand Vietnam a freekick, allowing us to score the second goal.

"Bac's original position is in midfield, but I often play him as a striker. Coach Troussier did the same today, and Bac has shown how much trouble he could cause the opposition's defense and his fine goal scoring ability."

Nguyen Dinh Bac (number 15) crosses Yukinari Sugawara, forcing the Japanese defender to commit a foul and helping Vietnam earn a freekick, which resulted in their second goal against Japan in the Asian Cup game on Jan. 14, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

Bac was the youngest player on the pitch in the Japan match. He worked tirelessly throughout the 64 minutes he played to get a 7.3 rating from Sofascore, second only to Takumi Minamino, who netted two of Japan’s four goals.

As passionate as he is on the pitch, Bac comes across to friends and teammates as humorous and impish. Defender Le Nguyen Hoang, 18, Bac's teammate at the AFC U-20 Asian Cup and Asiad 19, describes him as sociable and mischievous.

"We usually play billiards in our free time. It is one of Bac's hobbies though he is just an average player," he says with a grin.

Bac's performance for the national team has given fans more reason to trust Troussier, whose choice of players and tactical changes were often questioned in the past.

It is safe to say he is gradually getting out of Park Hang-seo's shadow with a fresh, young and hungry squad.