Their long-awaited partnership could bring fresh energy and strategic variety to Vietnam’s attacking game - especially as Coach Kim Sang-sik begins to build a squad capable of defending the regional crown and competing in future continental tournaments.

But fans will have to wait. Dinh Bac will miss the crucial final qualifier for Asian Cup 2027 against Malaysia on March 31 due to suspension. The striker was handed a red card in the third-place playoff against South Korea at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. However, he will return in time for ASEAN Cup in July.

Crowned top scorer of the U23 tournament, the CAHN (Hanoi Police) FC forward remains central to Coach Kim’s future plans.

Xuan Son, meanwhile, has staged an impressive comeback. After a year sidelined by injury sustained in the 2024 ASEAN Cup final against Thailand, the forward has scored eight goals in his return season - one for the national team in a friendly against Laos in November 2025, and seven for Thep Xanh (Blue Steel) Nam Dinh in the 2025/26 ASEAN Club Championship.

He’s yet to fully rediscover his peak form, but his determination to “reclaim what was lost” has been evident on the pitch.

Dinh Bac, born in 2004, has matured significantly after his U23 breakthrough. Now back at CAHN - a club with serious domestic and continental ambitions - he continues to grow within a professional environment that demands both consistency and excellence.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the contrasting styles of these two players will combine.

Xuan Son offers physicality, explosive pace, technical flair, and a wide range of finishing options. Dinh Bac brings a more balanced, all-action profile - capable of defending from the front, exploiting space with sudden bursts, and creating opportunities from tight angles.

They are not identical in style, but they complement each other well.

Their combination opens up tactical possibilities for Coach Kim, who is aiming to refresh Vietnam’s attacking identity after years of reliance on solo breakthroughs.

If their chemistry clicks, the Xuan Son – Dinh Bac pairing could evolve into Vietnam’s next iconic strike duo, setting the tone for a new, aggressive era of play.

Dai Nam