Dinh Bac and the 'goal drought' that remains unsolved

V-League 2025/26 has completed its first round, yet forward Dinh Bac has not scored his inaugural goal. As CAHN Club charges ahead with an impressive streak, Dinh Bac silently confronts a thirst he yearns to quench.

Dinh Bac has been consistently fielded by coach Alexandre Polking in recent matches, spanning both domestic and international competitions.

The forward born in 2004has also shown no lack of effort. Dinh Bac moves extensively, actively presses the opponent's defense, and frequently swaps positions with his attacking teammates.

But football is cruel in that effort is not always rewarded with goals.Dinh Bachas often been frustrated in his desire to score, opting for individual plays instead of passing to waiting teammates who could have scored in past matches.

The most recent moment of regret for the Nghe An-born forward came late in the second half of the 3-1 win over HAGL. Dinh Bac took a decisive shot past defender Quang Kiet. His Vietnam U23 teammate Trung Kien could only watch.

Everyone at Hang Day Stadium seemed ready to erupt in cheers. But the ball found the post, bouncing away in disappointment. This could be the defining image of Dinh Bac's strangely unlucky season.

A feeling that his shots aren't quite perfect, a touch of misfortune, or an invisible pressure weighing him down... may be the combined factors preventing Dinh Bac from finding his smile in this year's V-League.

Dinh Bac once shone at youth levels and was a great hope for Vietnamese football in the U23 team. He possesses speed, ability in tight spaces, and the boldness of youth. But the V-League is a different stage, perhaps demanding more to find the net.

Dinh Bac's hunger is undeniable. He is consistently one of the most active moving forwards in the attackCAHN. He seeks space, ready to shoot whenever an opportunity arises.

However, the most crucial thing for a striker—goals—continues to elude the Nghe An-born shooter after half a season. This leaves many fans regretful, as everyone knows one goal could change so much.

It would help the 22-year-old player relieve psychological pressure, spark a run of brilliant form, and create a turning point in his career. Coach Polking also understands his pupil's desire to break through and plays him almost the full match, only substituting him in the final moments of stoppage time.

At this moment, Dinh Bac needs to strive even harder. He will be unavailable for the Vietnam national team's match against Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers due to a suspension carried over from the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

Missing national team duty is a setback, but also an opportunity to focus entirely on his club. With CAHN aiming for the championship, every V-League match is a stage for Dinh Bac to prove his worth.

CAHN continues to demonstrate the strength of the top contender. Dinh Bac and his teammates have only one arena left to fight in and could very well lift the most prestigious domestic trophy this season.

If that becomes reality, Dinh Bac will have a chance to collect his first major career honor. But for a striker, collective titles are never enough. He needs his own goals to affirm himself, to improve, and to confidently move forward.

A young player's career always has challenging phases. The 'goal drought' may make his feet feel heavier, but it can also become the motivation for a breakthrough.

The V-League still has a long road ahead. Perhaps, when his first goal arrives, it will not only bring relief but also mark the beginning of a new chapter in Dinh Bac's journey forward.