At Dinh Bac 90+1, Hanoi Police defeated Beijing Guoan 2-1.
The 90+1 penalty kick helped Hanoi Police advance to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Two in their first appearance, and also affirmed Nguyen Dinh Bac's maturity for the Vietnam U23 team.
In the 90+1 minute, Nguyen Dinh Bac unleashed a decisive shot, securing a 2-1 victory for Hanoi Police against Beijing Guoan and propelling the team through the AFC Champions League Two group stage in their first ever appearance. This late goal not only secured their place in the next round but also marked a significant milestone in the career of the striker born in 2004.
The decisive moment and the game-changing comeback.
Hanoi Police fell behind to the Chinese team, but coach Alexandre Polking's side still played bravely to finish the match with a 2-1 victory. Dinh Bac's goal in the 90+1 minute was the biggest highlight of the comeback, concluding an evening where the value of patience, organization, and character was demonstrated by securing a ticket to advance from the group stage.
From a "gamble" to a minimalist approach to playing football.
Dinh Bac's journey over the past two years has been an unpredictable curve: he was once trusted by former coach Philippe Troussier and had a breakout period in the World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers; then he stalled due to his inexperience and off-field controversies at Quang Nam. The turning point came when he joined Hanoi Police.
Under the guidance of coach Alexandre Polking, the 21-year-old striker has shed his image of being overly dribbling and overly elaborate, embracing a modern style of play: minimalist touches and more decisive decisions. His 17 appearances across all competitions this season are clear evidence of the coaching staff's trust in him, and demonstrate his positive adaptation to tactical demands.
Role in the Vietnam U23 team amidst a depleted squad.
At the U23 level, personnel issues arise with Van Truong suffering a long-term injury, while players like Cong Phuong and Ngoc My are still in the development phase. In this context, Dinh Bac has become a prominent choice for coach Kim Sang-sik.
The title of Best Player of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship is a testament to his growing influence. He embodies the type of center forward the South Korean strategist needs: a 1.8m physique, speed, technique, and composure in crucial moments. His performance in the AFC Champions League Two showed that Dinh Bac met these criteria: when a simple finish was needed, he delivered.
Key information
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Score | Hanoi Police 2-1 Beijing National Security |
| Tournament | AFC Champions League Two |
| The decisive goal | Nguyen Dinh Bac, 90+1 minute |
| Landmark | Qualified for the group stage on their first appearance. |
| Number of appearances this season | 17 (in all competitions) |
| Recorded at the U23 level | Best player of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship |
Long-term impact
Looking ahead to the 33rd SEA Games and the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, Dinh Bac's role is not just about scoring goals. He holds the key to operating the attack: maintaining the tempo, choosing the right position, and making decisive one-touch decisions. From a "gamble," the striker from Nghe An is turning coach Kim Sang-sik's trust into the foundation of the Vietnam U23 attack.