Dinh Bac returned home with scratches all over his neck but only remembered... the referee who blew the final whistle.

On the evening of July 30, the U.23 Vietnam team officially returned home after defending the title of the U.23 Southeast Asian Championship. One of the most interesting faces was Dinh Bac - the best player of the tournament.

The flight carrying the entire team landed at Tan Son Nhat Airport (HCMC), ending a memorable campaign with the third consecutive championship – an unprecedented feat in the history of youth football in the region.

Despite having just gone through a long journey and intense matches, the U.23 Vietnam players still maintained a cheerful and relaxed demeanor when stepping out into the airport lobby. A large crowd of fans and reporters were present early to welcome the heroes back home with pride.

Dinh Bac is much more mature.

Among the players who made a strong impression at this tournament, it is impossible not to mention Nguyen Dinh Bac - the leader of the U.23 Vietnam attack. The player born in 2004 played outstandingly throughout the tournament, contributing greatly to the team's journey to the championship. He scored important goals and was always present in decisive moments. It was no surprise when Dinh Bac was awarded the title of "Best Player of the Tournament" by the Organizing Committee, the first Vietnamese player to receive this honor at the U.23 Southeast Asian Championship.

The best player of U.23 Southeast Asia returned home with scratches on his neck.

There are quite a few scratches on Dinh Bac's neck.

PHOTO: THANG VO

The scratches were a mark of a messy situation in the second half of the final.

PHOTO: VO HIEU

A captured moment shows Dinh Bac being hit in the neck by an opposing player.

PHOTO: Dong Nguyen Khang

...but in interviews he only mentioned referees and happy moments.

PHOTO: VO HIEU

When the team just arrived at the airport, it was easy to see the scratches on Dinh Bac's neck - a trace of the tension in the thrilling final match with the host U.23 Indonesia . In a scuffle on the field, the striker of U.23 Vietnam was choked by an opposing player, but he did not resist. Dinh Bac raised his hands, kept calm and tried to escape the siege, very different from the somewhat hot-tempered and arrogant Dinh Bac before.

Dinh Bac happily filmed a TikTok clip with his teammates at the airport.

And of course, reporters noticed this scratch to ask Dinh Bac questions, but the 21-year-old player ignored that detail: "I feel very happy and joyful because I brought the cup back to Vietnam. Personally, I think I fought my best on the field, doing everything to bring the best results to Vietnam. The moment the referee blew the whistle to end the match was the moment I felt happiest," Dinh Bac recalled.

Dinh Bac is the best player of the tournament.

PHOTO: VO HIEU

Dinh Bac's maturity is not only shown in his expertise but also clearly in the way he handles situations, controls his emotions and puts the collective interest first. It is this change that makes him a factor that coach Kim Sang-sik especially trusts.

Immediately after returning home, Dinh Bac – like many other teammates – will join the Hanoi Police Club to prepare for the V-League matches.

On August 2, the Hanoi Police Club will hold a ceremony to report achievements to Uncle Ho at the Ho Chi Minh statue at the Hanoi Police headquarters (87 Tran Hung Dao - Hanoi). The ceremony will have 2 U.23 Vietnam players currently playing for the Hanoi Police team, Nguyen Dinh Bac and Pham Minh Phuc.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dinh-bac-ve-nuoc-voi-day-vet-xuoc-tren-co-nhung-chi-nho-den-trong-tai-thoi-chung-ket-185250731082517593.htm