Alejandro Salvador, goalkeeping coach of Ninh Binh FC, reflects on his first experience abroad in Vietnam and assesses the team’s chances in the top tier of Vietnamese football.
1. First season in Vietnam, why did you decide to start this new adventure?
After 12 years at Villarreal, I was looking for a change of scenery and the chance to grow both personally and professionally, as I also needed to step out of my comfort zone. I believe Vietnam is a great option to evolve in every aspect, and it is a country that is currently on the rise both in sports and socially.
2. What does it mean for you to experience elite sport away from home?
It represents a big change in my life and in my daily routine, since in Spain I left behind family and friends as well as a lifestyle I had been used to for many years. That said, starting this new adventure with a Spanish staff makes things much easier on a day-to-day basis, as we can support each other in tough moments and also enjoy the good ones together, which is very much appreciated.
3. A lifetime at Villarreal CF, what does the Castellón club mean to you?
For me Villarreal is home. It’s where I grew up since I was five years old, starting as a goalkeeper in the youth academy until this year when I decided to take on this new professional challenge. I spent a total of 22 years there, years in which I was very happy and had the chance to work alongside incredible coaches from whom I learned a great deal and who helped me throughout my journey. I also worked with countless goalkeepers and players who helped me to keep developing. It’s a club I will always be grateful to.
4. After three rounds, the team is top of the table on its own. What do you think have been the keys to such an electric start?
From the very beginning of pre-season, the coaching staff had a clear idea of what we wanted to implement, and with the help of the players we have been fine-tuning those concepts. Little by little, the results of that work are starting to show. As the weeks and training sessions go by, the team is gaining automatisms, and thanks to their daily effort we have managed to win the first three league matches.
5. Debut in the Vietnamese top flight and only two goals conceded in the first three games — what do you attribute this to?
It comes down to the team’s strong collective defensive work, since the first defender is the striker and everyone is committed to the same goal. It’s also true that the day-to-day work with the goalkeepers is very dynamic and productive given the high level they have.
6. What individual goals do you set for yourself looking ahead?
Before thinking about the future, we are focused on this season, which has just begun and already looks very exciting after such a strong start. We don’t know where we might be in the future, but I would like to reach the highest level possible, even the national team