The hardships of Lu Dinh Tuan

From the first goal scorer at the World Cup to assistant coach Park Hang-seo

Considered one of the heroes of Ho Chi Minh City football, Lu Dinh Tuan also made history by becoming the author of the first goal of Vietnamese football at the World Cup. Lu Dinh Tuan was born in 1968 and during his football career, he made important contributions to Saigon Port Club, from 1987 to the late 90s of the last century.

Lu Dinh Tuan has a very skillful left foot. When he was a player, he was famous for his extremely skillful dribbling, speed and scoring. Lu Dinh Tuan inherited the qualities of his father, Lu Hung Phan, a former famous Vietnamese football player. He rose to prominence very quickly even though he did not go through a gifted school.

Regional press compares Lu Dinh Tuan to Vietnam's Maradona

When he was young, because Tuan "hedgehog" (nickname of Lu Dinh Tuan) was small, less than 1.60 m tall, the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Sports and Physical Training did not agree to accept him into the gifted school. However, he was accepted by coach Pham Huynh Tam Lang and brought to Saigon Port. Later, Lu Dinh Tuan became an important factor, contributing greatly to the success of the Saigon Port team, in the National Cup in 1992, the national championship in 1993-1994 and making his mark when wearing the national team jersey at the SEA Games from 1991 to 1995. Notably, Lu Dinh Tuan was the first Vietnamese player to score a goal in the 1994 World Cup qualifiers. That was on April 13, 1993 when Tuan "hedgehog" scored against Singapore in a 2-3 loss. In this qualifying round, the Vietnamese team scored 4 goals, besides Tuan "hedgehog", there were 3 other famous players who scored: Phan Thanh Hung, Ha Vuong Ngau Nai and Nguyen Hong Son.

Coach Lu Dinh Tuan's feelings

Tuan "hedgehog"'s excellent dribbling talent was highly praised by the regional press in the early 90s. A Hong Kong newspaper compared him to "Vietnam's Maradona" because of his ability to control the ball so quickly and skillfully as well as to inspire his teammates in their playing style. However, Tuan "hedgehog"'s football career only lasted until the age of 30 due to persistent injuries. He then became the coach of Ho Chi Minh City teams such as Saigon Xuan Thanh, Dak Lak, and Becamex Binh Duong.

Lu Dinh Tuan when he was the coach of Becamex Binh Duong Club

During the years when Coach Park Hang-seo led the national team, Lu Dinh Tuan became the right-hand man of the Korean coach. Lu Dinh Tuan was often assigned to direct the sidelines, shouting and encouraging the players. Tuan "hedgehog" is also considered one of the coaches with the most positive ability to argue with Coach Park. For example, the players' nap. At first, Coach Park did not agree to let the Vietnamese players take a nap, but Mr. Tuan "argued" with Coach Park that, not only because of habit but also because of the hot weather conditions, a nap, even if only for a few dozen minutes, is enough to help the players regenerate energy.

Lu Dinh Tuan is assistant to coach Park Hang-seo.

The hard work of coaching

Sitting together in the stands watching the U.21 tournament, Coach Lu Dinh Tuan recalled: "When the media at that time called me "Vietnam's Maradona", I was both proud and confused because he was a monument of the world. Watching Maradona play at that time, everyone was fascinated, so was I, so when he compared me to a real star, I was very hesitant. I thought I only had a few similarities to the late Argentine legend such as being short, having a quick left foot, and speed, but such a comparison is too lame because no one has achieved the same level and strength as him. I didn't expect that name to follow me throughout my career."

Coach Lu Dinh Tuan encourages U.21 player Le Canh Gia Huy of Ho Chi Minh City

Talking about his current job, Tuan "hedgehog" confided: "Being a coach is very stressful and easy to lose your job. I have really experienced many emotions and many different positions from team leader, technical director, head coach to assistant coach, when I accept any job, I do it with all my heart and always dedicate myself.

But I admit that there are times when I stumble and my fate is still difficult. Like when I was in charge of Saigon Xuan Thanh in 2013, I was dismissed with just a text message after a few losses. Or when I was in charge of Ho Chi Minh City Club, I also really hoped that I would contribute as well as when I brought the team up to the top flight, but it didn't go anywhere. Back in Binh Duong, I was given the opportunity but after a few losses, I was immediately "involved" in fierce reactions because this place has a tradition of changing coaches very quickly. I don't blame this but just think about my fate. Being a coach is too much pressure and challenge. If you are not successful, you have to choose the path of leaving."

Coach Lu Dinh Tuan (left) and former teammate at Saigon Port Club Nguyen Hong Pham together lead U.21 Ho Chi Minh City

Talking about leading the U.21 team of Ho Chi Minh City to the final round of the U.22 tournament for the first time, Tuan "hedgehog" said: "Now working in youth football, I feel happy and motivated because I am truly a son of the city, really want to contribute a lot to my hometown football. The youth teams of Ho Chi Minh City have been struggling in recent years, training is still difficult, former players like me, Mr. Nguyen Hong Pham and a few other enthusiastic brothers really want to do something to support the city's football. Regardless of the result of the U.21 team in this final round, I hope to create a boost for the city's youth football to be paid more attention, have better investment, from there find a bounce for the future".

Lu Dinh Tuan and his wife watch their son compete at the 1st Vietnam Youth Student Football Tournament 2023

Last March, many fans continuously saw him in the stands of Ton Duc Thang University to watch the 1st Vietnam Youth Student Football Tournament 2023 organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper. Because there, his son - Lu Dinh Duc Anh played for the home team. Because Duc Anh was too old to be present at the U.21 tournament, Mr. Tuan is guiding his son to study well and work, and maybe join a football team to satisfy his passion.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/maradona-viet-nam-cam-quan-lan-dau-tai-vong-chung-ket-u21-truan-chuyen-lu-dinh-tuan-185230923124306855.htm