Nguyen Dinh Bac wins top scorer award at AFC U23 Asian Cup

The 21-year-old ended the tournament with four goals and two assists across six matches, from the group stage to the third-place playoff, where Vietnam faced strong opposition including Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

25/01/2026 18:49 GMT+

Striker Dinh Bac is embraced by fans. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Striker Nguyen Dinh Bac capped a landmark AFC U23 Asian Cup for Vietnam by claiming the tournament’s top scorer award, as the team finished third for their second-best result in the competition’s history.

Vietnam secured third place, behind only their runners-up finish in 2018, after a thrilling 7-6 penalty shootout victory over powerhouse the Republic of Korea on January 23 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Bac scored one goal and provided an assist in the match, which finished 2-2 after regulation time at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium.

In the final match on January 24, Japan defeated China 4-0, defending their continental title and becoming the first team to win the tournament three times./.

# Nguyen Dinh Bac # AFC U23 Asian Cup # top scorer award

Related News

AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026: Vietnam to face Rok in third-place play-off

U23 Vietnam will face U23 Republic of Korea in the third-place playoff of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, following a 0-3 defeat to U23 China in the semifinals at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium in Saudi Arabia on January 20.

AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026: Vietnam defeat RoK to win bronze

Vietnam U23 concluded their AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 campaign with a thrilling third-place victory over the Republic of Korea at King Abdullah Sports City.

Vietnamese in Malaysia pin high hopes on nation’s new development phase

The 14th National Party Congress’s focus on human resources development, educational reform and international integration has opened up greater opportunities for young people, including Vietnamese students abroad, to contribute their knowledge and experience to the country’s development.

AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026: Vietnam defeat RoK to win bronze

Vietnam U23 concluded their AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 campaign with a thrilling third-place victory over the Republic of Korea at King Abdullah Sports City.

Vietnam’s swimmer, powerlifters add to medal haul at 13th ASEAN Para Games

A major highlight came on January 23 morning, when swimmer Vi Thi Hang produced a remarkable display to win the gold medal in the women’s 100m backstroke (S6–S7).

13th ASEAN Para Games: Vietnamese swimmer breaks Games record to win gold

By the end of January 21, Vietnam had collected eight golds (seven in swimming and one in powerlifting), along with five silvers and six bronzes (all from swimming), at the 13th ASEAN Para Games.

13th ASEAN Para Games: Vietnam makes impressive start with 8 gold medals

By the end of January 21, Vietnam had collected eight gold, five silver and six bronze medals at the 13th ASEAN Para Games, temporarily ranking third on the medal table behind host Thailand and Indonesia.

Strategic solutions to ensure double-digit economic growth proposed at 14th National Party Congress

Regarding the practical foundations for achieving the economic growth goal, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policies and Strategies Nguyen Anh Tuan noted that, built on existing achievements and the nation’s aspiration for renewal and advancement, Vietnam possesses sufficient conditions, potential, and policy space to realise this goal.

Resolution No. 57 - A strategic vision to position Vietnam at forefront of quantum technology era

Vietnam should prioritise investment in key quantum laboratories toward establishing a National Quantum Research Centre; develop long-term human resources training programmes; build a supportive innovation ecosystem through regulatory sandboxes and targeted investment funds; and strengthen international cooperation with leading global research institutions.

Australian partners, OVs voice strong support for 14th National Party Congress

In a congratulatory message sent to the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Communist Party of Australia described the Congress as a momentous event for the Vietnamese Party, State and people to chart the country’s socialist development path in a new era. Among its key tasks, the Congress will review 40 years of Doi Moi (renewal), 35 years of following the Platform on National Construction, and five years of carrying out the 13th National Party Congress’s resolution.

Growth model renovation for national transformation

The 14th National Party Congress should provide clearer orientations for the development of concrete, long-term cooperation programmes, in which overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs and experts are involved from the very early stages of policy and project design.

Overseas intellectual hails 14th National Party Congress as Vietnam enters new development phase

The congress carries particular significance as Vietnam enters a new development phase amid complex global and regional situation, according to Dr Ung Quoc Hung, Chief Engineer at France’s Setec Nucléaire group and Vice Chairman of the network of overseas Vietnamese nuclear energy experts (VietNuc).