Riedl as one with Vietnam

Few coaches across the globe have been accepted into the hearts of the people in their adopted nations as much as Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl. In fact with the former Austria Vienna striker the kidney is the organ in question.

Following a successful kidney transplant in April this year, which saw over 70 Vietnamese fans offer to help Riedl before a suitable match was found, the former Austria national team coach joked: SVietnam now is a part of me.⬝

Riedl”s story has to rank amongst the most heart warming in recent times, and when you meet the ex-Palestine coach, the reasons behind it become even more apparent.

Riedl, who has led Vietnam to four finals in regional competition and during the qualifying campaign for the 2004 AFC Asian Cup was in charge of a memorable 1-0 victory over Korea Republic, is passionate about instilling a more professional attitude at all levels in the South East Asian country.

SI tell the team they must play for the people. We know we are playing in a poor country; we have to think about this and give the players more motivation and reasons to fight,⬝ Riedl, who is now in his third spell in charge of Vietnam, told PA Sport.

SI came back for the people and the county and I also have a good relationship with the football federation. I understand why some things can”t happen. I understand because sometimes there is a lack of money.

SEverybody thinks that one sports centre in Hanoi is enough, but I have told them we need 50. We need $1billion to make a new revolution, but with this $1billion we can feed so many people. We can feed people and give them housing, so what is more important? Football is important but not that important. I am an open minded man and I understand that this money has to be spent in another way.⬝

Despite the lack of investment, Riedl has witnessed a turnaround and improvement in professionalism since his first training session in the summer of 1998.

SIn my first training session with the national team the players turned up with white, blue, red, green or brown shirts. The next day this changed; I am not a coach of a street team, we all must wear the same shirt,⬝ said Riedl, who took Vietnam to the Tiger Cup final in 1998 during his first year in charge before Vietnam claimed a silver medal at the South East Asian Games a year later.

SWe also increased the money available for the food. The sports department provided the money for the nutrition, but this was ridiculously very little compared to Europeans. The players also get a lot more money now.⬝

Despite the run of final defeats, which were the best results in the countries history, a passion was ignited and a year later the semi-professional V-League was formed.

Riedl moved to Kuwait”s Al Salmiya in 2001 before returning to Vietnam in 2003 for one year. He coached Palestine in 2004, but the lure of Vietnam was too strong and in 2005 he signed a three-year contract.

Two years later came the remarkable events which led to the former Royal Antwerp frontman undergo a successful transplant in April from a unnamed donor.

SThis is the luck you get when you live in a country where so many people like you, where you have some success and you behave normally,⬝ added Riedl, who insists he will never reveal the name of the kind-hearted mystery donor.

SThere were about 70, or even more, and one gave me his kidney. It was a very emotional time. Vietnamese people are very friendly.⬝

Vietnam striker Le Cong Vinh hailed Riedl”s impact and insisted the events surrounding the transplant are typical of Vietnamese people.

SThe coach has had a great affect on the team, not only is he the coach he is also a friend,⬝ said Cong Vinh. SThere were a lot of people willing to donate a kidney to help the coach.

SMr Riedl has been living in Vietnam for 10 years and the Vietnamese fans have a great affection for him and it is a tradition of the Vietnamese people to help each other whenever they can in life.⬝

Vietnam”s cause in recent years has not been helped by match-fixing scandals, the most recent involving the under-23 side at the 2005 SEA Games, which led to the arrest of four players including striker Pham Van Quyen, who was subsequently given a two-year prison sentence and barred from domestic football in Vietnam for four years.

SI lost seven players in total. It still has a big impact on the team, a lot of people probably don”t realise from these players, four of the players would be playing at the Asian Cup,⬝ added Riedl.

SPeople forget about this and they still have the same expectations even thought we don”t have our most talented striker Van Quyen. With him in the side there is always the chance to change something. Our first choice left-back was also involved in the match fixing.⬝

Riedl is hoping to end Vietnam”s finals hoodoo and is confident of making a challenge at the next SEA Games in Thailand later this year.

SWe can win the SEA Games, we might be strong enough,⬝ he said. SBut in a tournament with a knockout system one goal can decide who wins, so you also need some luck because when you don”t have the luck you cannot win.⬝

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