Tran Dinh Dong - the 'ageless' warrior of Song Lam Nghe An

Started out as a creative midfielder

Born in 1987, Tran Dinh Dong is one of the rare players in Anh Son district who has pursued his passion for football and become famous. Due to the conditions of a mountainous district, the football movement in this locality is not as developed as in other places.

Joining SLNA at the age of 13, Dinh Dong's favorite position at that time was central midfielder. He not only created conditions for his teammates to score but was also ready to have powerful long-range shots to score for his team.

When Dinh Dong was the core of SLNA's U17, then U19 and U21 teams competing in youth tournaments, the coaches highly appreciated the mature playing style and the steel quality of this midfielder. This helped Dinh Dong get an official place in the first team in 2007 along with teammates Quang Tinh, Cong Minh, Dac Khanh...

Tran Dinh Dong and SLNA players in 2007. Photo: NVCC

At that time, the Nghe An team fell into financial difficulties and many top stars such as Le Cong Vinh, Duong Hong Son,... left one after another. SLNA at that time was in a situation of losing players, coach Nguyen Van Thinh decided to move Dinh Dong to play right wing midfielder, then at times the defense continuously lost players, Dong moved to the right back position until the 2009 season.

In the 2010 season, Dinh Dong was pushed down to the left back position, and at one point he even played as a center back instead of Nguyen Huy Hoang. After Huy Hoang, people gradually recognized a new leader of SLNA who inherited his amazing flying kicks.

Despite playing very well for SLNA, Dinh Dong was able to attend the 2009 SEA Games in Laos with a wild card. Although he was the last to go to Laos, Dinh Dong was the name that impressed coach Calisto in that tournament. That year, Dinh Dong contributed significantly to the silver medal that U23 Vietnam won and later, this defender was also rewarded with a call-up to the Vietnam national team.

Tran Dinh Dong was once considered a promising talent of the national teams. Photo: SLNA FC

In the 2011 V.League championship, Dinh Dong played 23 matches and the young player's passion and steel were shown when he received 8 yellow cards. Never before has SLNA's defense been so difficult to defeat with Huy Hoang, Nguyen Hoang Helio, Dinh Dong and Au Hoan.

For a long time, Dinh Dong was a mainstay at SLNA and was always present in the campaigns of the Vietnam National Team. At the end of 2013, when his contract expired, Dinh Dong and Quang Tinh were also the ones who accepted a loss to receive a small signing bonus, to stay and contribute to their hometown team for another 2 years.

Get through the crisis

But that was the most difficult time in the career of the defender born in 1987. After the tackle that broke Anh Hung's leg, Dinh Dong was fined, became a point defendant, and banned from playing for nearly a year. Many people thought that his playing career could be ruined if he stayed away from the field for a year. But then, overcoming all the pressure and criticism, Dinh Dong continued to be a pillar of SLNA in 2015.

Defenders Dinh Dong and Quang Tinh are two players who won the 2011 V.League championship and are still playing for SLNA. Photo: VPF

It was not until the end of V.League 2015 that Dinh Dong left SLNA to join Thanh Hoa Club with a contract of 1.7 billion VND/season. In the Thanh Hoa team's jersey, Dinh Dong was one of three players who left a good impression on fans with his aggressive and fierce playing style.

But the cruelty of football has not stopped, at the AFF Cup 2016, the clumsy own goal in the second leg of the semi-final against Indonesia made this defender receive complaints from fans. And the defender born in 1987 said goodbye to the national team with a sad ending.

Ignoring the ups and downs of youth, Dinh Dong returned to SLNA when his contract with Thanh Hoa expired. Returning to his hometown at the age of over 30, many people thought he was just returning to retire. But unexpectedly, when Xuan Manh and Ngoc Duc suffered from continuous injuries, Dinh Dong was one of the players who played the most and was also the most confident.

Professional statistics of Dinh Dong's latest match. Graphics: TK

In V.League 2019, Dinh Dong played 20 matches and only received 1 yellow card. He is also one of the important factors that helped SLNA become the best defense in V.League. Although he is the oldest player in SLNA, this player plays like a young face who has just been tested.

Before the V.League 2020, SLNA extended his contract for another year. That was like a reward for the player who is 33 years old this year. In the opening match against Saigon, Dinh Dong continued to show his solidity and contributed to keeping Van Hoang's net clean.

In the match against B. Binh Duong, Dinh Dong was the only SLNA player to have a 100% success rate in aerial duels and contests. In 92 minutes on the field, the player born in 1987 had 11 successful ball recoveries.

Map of Dinh Dong's area of ​​operation in Binh Duong. Photo: Instat

With 42/53 accurate passes, reaching a rate of 79% (first half was 88%), Dinh Dong made the second most passes of SLNA after Sy Nam (45/65, accurate 69%). Notably, Dinh Dong made 41 offensive passes and only 6 back passes.

Obviously, Coach Ngo Quang Truong has reason to continue to put his trust in his veteran born in 1987 even though Ngoc Duc and Sy Hoang are still there. The presence of Dinh Dong - Quang Tinh and their experience in the SLNA squad is truly an important catalyst among a group of young players.

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