Vietnam’s Dinh Bac receives Asian U23 Golden Boot as late goal ruled out in V.League 1 win
Vietnam U23s’ forward Nguyen Dinh Bac was presented with the Asian U23 Golden Boot on Sunday before seeing a late goal disallowed in Cong An Ha Noi’s 3-2 win over Ninh Binh in round 12 of the 2025–26 V.League 1.
Forward Nguyen Dinh Bac bows to supporters at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 2, 2026, ahead of a V.League 1 match between Cong An Ha Noi FC and Ninh Binh FC. Photo: Ngoc Le
The awards ceremony took place at Hang Day Stadium ahead of the match.
Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) president Tran Quoc Tuan handed the trophy to Dinh Bac, who finished as the top scorer at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia last month, netting four goals and providing two assists.
Vietnam finished third and won the bronze medal.
Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) president Tran Quoc Tuan (R) presents the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup Golden Boot award to forward Nguyen Dinh Bac at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 2, 2026. Photo: Ngoc Le
Tran Quoc Tuan, an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee member and chairman of its competitions committee, had earlier received the award on the player’s behalf while the team were traveling home.
Forward Nguyen Dinh Bac holds the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup Golden Boot trophy during a presentation ceremony at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 2, 2026. Photo: Ngoc Le
Dinh Bac did not start Sunday’s match and was named on the bench.
He had only rejoined Cong An Ha Noi a few days earlier after returning to Vietnam on January 24 and attending a series of fan events.
Nguyen Dinh Bac returns to the bench after receiving the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup Golden Boot award at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 2, 2026. Photo: Ngoc Le
He came on in the 75th minute. Eight minutes later, his shot found the net but was ruled out after a teammate was judged offside.
Cong An Ha Noi held on for a 3-2 victory.
The result lifted the club to the top of the V.League 1 standings after 12 rounds.
Cong An Ha Noi FC head coach Alexandre Polking watches from the stands during a V.League 1 match against Ninh Binh FC at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 2, 2026, as he serves a suspension. Photo: Ngoc Le
Nguyen Dinh Bac plays during the V.League 1 match between Cong An Ha Noi FC and Ninh Binh FC at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 2, 2026. Photo: Ngoc Le
Nguyen Dinh Bac reacts after his goal was disallowed during the V.League 1 match between Cong An Ha Noi FC and Ninh Binh FC at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 2, 2026. Photo: Ngoc Le
Bao Anh - Ngoc Le / Tuoi Tre News
Link nội dung: https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnams-dinh-bac-receives-asian-u23-golden-boot-as-late-goal-ruled-out-in-vleague-1-win-103260202121226773.htm