The Paradox of Đình Bắc: Top Scorer of U23 Asia but Scoreless in V-League

Đình Bắc continues to shine on the international club stage after winning the 2026 U23 Asia Top Scorer title, yet he remains goalless in this season’s V-League.

Nguyễn Đình Bắc, the 2026 U23 Asia Top Scorer, is maintaining impressive form in international club competitions, but he has yet to score in the V-League this season. This contradiction has puzzled many fans, especially since the 2004-born striker is seen as the future of Vietnam’s attacking football.

At the AFC Champions League Two, Đình Bắc has scored 2 goals in 6 matches, a commendable rate for a young player competing in a highly competitive environment. Notably, both goals against Beijing Guoan and Tampines Rovers came off the bench and directly influenced the match outcomes, demonstrating his composure and knack for crucial moments on the continental stage.

In contrast, during the 2025/26 V-League, Đình Bắc has yet to score after 10 appearances. His only notable contribution was an assist in the 2-1 victory over Hải Phòng. However, looking more broadly, the lack of goals does not necessarily indicate a decline in form or a loss of favor.

In fact, Coach Mano Polking continues to place significant trust in Đình Bắc. In ACL Two, he played 6 out of 7 matches totaling 314 minutes; in the Shopee Cup, he featured for 135 minutes across 2 games. Overall, Đình Bắc has appeared in 18 of 21 matches for CAHN this season, accumulating 1225 minutes—figures that highlight his steady role within the tactical system.

Specifically in the V.League, the 21-year-old striker has played in 10 of 13 games, logging 735 minutes and ranking among the team’s most frequently used players. This statistic matches Leo Artur’s and surpasses several other notable names. Clearly, he remains part of the coaching staff’s long-term plans despite the “goal drought.”

At present, Đình Bắc resembles a compressed spring. His goals on the Asian stage prove his scoring ability remains intact, just not at the right moment domestically. With his fitness and confidence maintained, regaining his scoring touch in the V-League seems only a matter of time.