After a dramatic 3-2 victory over U23 UAE in the quarter-finals, U23 Vietnam officially won the right to enter the semi-finals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. Contributing prominently in this match, striker Dinh Bac continued to be awarded the title of Player of the Match.
In the 120-minute confrontation, Dinh Bac left a strong impression with 1 goal and 1 important assist, contributing to helping U23 Vietnam overcome the opponent from West Asia. This is the 2nd time in this year's tournament that the player wearing jersey number 7 has been honored, showing stable form and great influence in the playing style of the red team.
Notably, Dinh Bac was brought on from the end of the first half after Viktor Le was forced to leave the field due to injury. According to the player born in 2004, the coaching staff requested the whole team to improve ball control and increase pressure in the opponent's half when U23 UAE actively retreated deep to defend. Good adherence to tactical intentions helped U23 Vietnam create many dangerous situations, including Dinh Bac's assist for Le Phat to open the score of the match.
Besides his professional mark, Dinh Bac showed his role as a spiritual leader when he continuously reminded his teammates to stay calm during the time when U23 Vietnam was equalized twice. According to the striker from Nghe An, concentration and bravery helped the whole team overcome pressure to score the decisive goal, preserving their advantage until the match ended.
Speaking after the match, Dinh Bac emphasized that the victory over U23 UAE is the common achievement of the collective, and thanked the coaching staff, teammates and fans who have always accompanied and cheered. He affirmed that U23 Vietnam will quickly forget the joy of victory, focus on recovery and professional analysis to best prepare for the upcoming semi-finals.
