Dinh Bac's hug with his former coach, Van Sy Son.

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After the final whistle at Hang Day Stadium, an image caught many people's attention. Nguyen Dinh Bac didn't celebrate wildly or run towards the stands. Instead, he quietly approached the Song Lam Nghe An technical area and hugged coach Van Sy Son tightly.

That moment was a connection between the past and the present, of clashes, of frank and sometimes harsh feedback from a former coach. And above all, it was the gratitude of a player who had overcome challenging times to mature.

In professional football, confrontations between former coaches and players are not uncommon. But they don't always have such an emotional ending.

Dinh Bac once worked with coach Van Sy Son. At that time, he was a young player with great potential but also very impulsive. There were times when the striker born in 2004 played without discipline, was impatient, and his attitude was questioned. It was coach Van Sy Son who brought him back, with frank, even somewhat harsh, feedback.

He once publicly stated that Dinh Bac "needs to be molded, must learn to listen and learn," even warning against the illusion that would arise if he didn't adjust soon. Those words were controversial at the time, but over time, they have become an important lesson.

After the match, when asked about his former pupil, coach Van Sy Son couldn't hide his satisfaction: "Dinh Bac played very well. He was supported by many quality players in a professional environment. I congratulate him and believe that Bac will continue to develop in the right direction."

As for Dinh Bac, the hug he gave to Coach Son was his way of showing his respect for his former mentor. That action shows that his journey today has been significantly influenced by Coach Van Sy Son, who always reminded him to strive and stay focused.

It also reflects the image of a player who has learned to control his ego and play more maturely after setbacks.

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While the hug was the emotional highlight, Dinh Bac's performance on the field was the clearest professional mark.

The three goals against Song Lam Nghe An marked the first hat-trick of this young striker's V.League career. Significantly, these weren't moments of pure brilliance, but the result of a noticeable transformation.

The opening goal came from intelligent positioning. The second was a clever run to beat the offside trap and a clean finish. And the goal that completed the hat-trick demonstrated his ability to participate in link-up play and be in the right place at the right time in the penalty area. Three goals, three different scenarios, but all reflecting one thing in common: a mature understanding of the game.

After the match, Dinh Bac shared a brief but meaningful message: "I am very happy. I thank my teammates for creating opportunities and trusting me to score."

That statement clearly reflected a shift in his mindset. From a player once considered to be individualistic, Dinh Bac now understands the role of teamwork and knows how to place himself within a system.

In fact, this hat-trick wasn't just a momentary burst of brilliance. In his last four matches, he's scored seven goals. That's a performance level that even many foreign players struggle to maintain.

More importantly, he no longer plays football instinctively as before. His purposeful runs, ability to "read space," and coolness in finishing have made Dinh Bac a reliable attacking force.

After a goal drought lasting over 500 days, this young striker has rediscovered himself. And when a player overcomes psychological barriers, everything ahead becomes much more open.

The hat-trick against Song Lam Nghe An could be a memorable milestone for a player in his twenties. And if he maintains his current focus and spirit, Dinh Bac can certainly go further. But wherever he goes, he will probably never forget the first lessons, the lessons that helped him stand firmly on his own two feet.

Duc Anh