After 13 rounds of the V-League only nine goals have got past Bui Tan Truong. He has been called up to represent his country, which is in training for a friendly against Kuwait later this month.

What is the secret behind your goal keeping process?

There is no secret. It is thanks to the understanding between defenders and the keeper. In football, this understanding is very important. When we know each other we will play well because we cover each other’s weaknesses and make the most of our strong points.

What about your fast reactions?

To have good reflexes and a strong mind I have spent a lot of time training. After playing with Can Tho in the Second Division, I moved to Dong Thap, where I was the No 1 goalie. One of the exercises I do is work on my reflexes. It really makes me stressed. Training hard I managed to speed up my reaction time.

But I am still young (22) and have many things I need to perfect. The most important thing I need now is experience. Sometimes I feel that I have the skills but lack the experience.

You came to football by chance and became a goalie by accident. Is that so?

Yes, it was. I had never played football until I was at the seventh grade. One day when nobody in my class football team wanted to be a goalkeeper they asked me and I agreed.

At that time I did not know how to play with my feet. All I did that match was use my hands to push the ball away.

One year later, I grew up and my skills improved. I became the goalie of the school, the district, the province and now Dong Thap.

In fact, my mother did not allow me to play football. She was afraid that I would be hurt, but my uncle, who is the national player Phan Thanh Binh’s father, persuaded her to let me play and she finally agreed.

Over the years, many goalies have left Dong Thap for other teams. Some have succeeded some have failed. Will you stay?

There are many reasons that prevent me from leaving although I have received several invitations. First, I still have one year left on my contract with the team and I want to complete it. Second, I was born and grew up in Dong Thap Province and the club brought me up and nourished my talent. I am very appreciative of that. At the moment I’m just concentrating on doing my best for the club.

Dong Thap stand fourth in the V-League with 20 points. At the start of the season they were expected to be relegated. How do you think they’ll do this year?

I think we should focus on staying in the V-League first. It is difficult to talk about the future because there are many challenges awaiting us. However, if we get a chance we can do something special. I believe that the team will not disappoint our fans and I myself will try hard to do my best for the team.

What are your targets for the future?

I always set up both short- and long-term targets. The short ones are to play in the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos this December and play well there. In the long term I want to be the national No 1 goalie. I know, it will be difficult. I am young and I will learn a lot from my colleagues. If you’re afraid of aiming for the top you will do nothing. I am not scared.

What is your fondest memory. Have you any idols?

The best memory is the Merdeka Cup 2008 win in Malaysia. It was a special feeling when we drew 2-2 with Sierra Leone and won in the penalty shootout in the semi-final match. I played very well in that match and stopped three penalties. It made me feel like a bird when we finally won.

The second memory is when I scored the first goal of my life. In 2007, Dong Thap were behind 1-2 to former champions Dong Tam Long An. Coach Tran Minh Xuong asked me to take part in the team’s attack and surprisingly I scored in the final minute of the match, helping my team go home with one point.

They were great times.

My idol? He is Peter Schmeichel, former goalkeeper of Manchester United. He has good reactions, is very decisive, brave and strong. He always made his teammates feel comfortable. I have learned many things from him.

VietNamNet/VNS