Nguyen Dinh Bac, the Vietnamese forward, turned 22 on August 19 and marked the occasion with an energetic display during the AFF Cup 2026 semifinal against Malaysia at My Dinh Stadium. The match was not only significant for his birthday but also crucial for Vietnam's aspirations in the tournament.

In the 23rd minute, Dinh Bac showcased his technical prowess by skillfully evading a defender at the edge of the penalty area. He unleashed a beautiful left-footed shot that was only thwarted by an outstanding save from Malaysian goalkeeper Azri. Just minutes later, Dinh Bac received a chance in the box from teammate Hai Long, but he hesitated, allowing a Malaysian defender to intervene and prevent a scoring opportunity.

As fans celebrated his birthday, Dinh Bac expressed his hopes for the new year on his personal social media, wishing for health, peace, happiness, and success in achieving greater goals. His post resonated with supporters, who were eager to see him score on his special day, helping Vietnam advance to the finals against their fierce rivals, Thailand.

Currently, Dinh Bac leads the goal-scoring chart in the AFF Cup 2026 with five goals, surpassing Thailand's Teerasak Poeiphimai by one goal. He made a significant impact in the tournament, scoring a hat-trick in Vietnam's opening match against Timor Leste, which ended in a 7-0 victory, and followed it up with a brace in the final group stage match against Cambodia, securing a 3-1 win.

As the match unfolds, fans are hopeful that Dinh Bac will deliver a memorable performance to celebrate both his birthday and a potential victory for the Vietnamese national team.