At Noi Bai Airport this morning, Dinh Bac showed no emotion. He wore a cap covering his face for most of the time there, only removing it when fans approached for photos.

Nguyen Dinh Bac (left) is among the top 5 nominees for the 2025 Vietnam Golden Ball for men, alongside Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Tien Linh, and Tran Trung Kien. According to VnExpress sources, Dinh Bac is highly likely to be in the top three, along with senior players Quang Hai and Hoang Duc.

However, the striker, born in 2004, will miss this significant career event due to conflicting schedules with the U23 national team. Following the emotional SEA Games 33 gold medal, coach Kim Sang-sik wants the players to regain stability and focus on the immediate task: the U23 Asian Championship finals, scheduled for early January 2026.

In addition to Dinh Bac, six other U23 players could not attend today's Gala despite being nominated for young player of the year, including Cao Van Binh (SLNA), Nguyen Hieu Minh (PVF-CAND), Nguyen Ngoc My (Thanh Hoa), Nguyen Le Phat (PVF/Ninh Binh), Nguyen Cong Phuong (The Cong Viettel), and Le Van Thuan (Thanh Hoa - pictured).

Dinh Bac has a strong chance to contend for the Golden Ball, having made a significant impact as Vietnam secured the SEA Games 33 gold medal. He scored three goals and assisted two, contributing to eight of the team's goals. Additionally, the Nghe An-born striker was named the best player when Vietnam won the U23 Southeast Asia 2025 championship.

However, at Cong An Ha Noi FC, he has not yet been a major contributor. Since the start of the 2025-2026 season, the 21-year-old striker has only scored two goals and provided one assist in 18 matches across all competitions. In the 2024-2025 season, he recorded four goals and two assists in 22 matches.

The team consists of 25 players, with defender Le Van Ha and striker Bui Vi Hao as recent additions. Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien (left) had a minor injury but returned to training yesterday. Teammate Pham Ly Duc (right) also shared additional training methods to aid his recovery.

Many fans present at the airport, aware of the team's arrival, actively approached for photos and autographs. They wished the members a successful tournament in Saudi Arabia.

Team members arrived at Noi Bai Airport from 7h, many still looking sleepy.

Following the successful SEA Games 33 campaign, the players had three days to visit family before rejoining on 23/12 for three training sessions at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center (VYS).

Players completed check-in procedures in about 40 minutes.

The flight departed at 9h, with a flight time of about 8 hours from Ha Noi to Doha, and was expected to land at 17h (Ha Noi time, which is 13h Doha time on the same day).

Team members engaged in lively interactions and laughter at the airport. The coaching staff assessed the team's atmosphere as united, positive, and ready for new objectives.

Following regional success, coach Kim Sang-sik (second from right) and the South Korean coaching staff are entering a more challenging tournament. The immediate goal is to advance past the group stage.

During their training camp in Qatar, Vietnam is scheduled to play one friendly match against Syria on 1/1/2026. Five days later, the team will play its opening Group A match against Jordan, then face Kyrgyzstan on 9/1, before encountering host Saudi Arabia on 12/1.

Hieu Luong