Singapore's heart belongs to Raddy
By Ossian Shine
SINGAPORE, Feb 6 (Reuters) - With a third Asean championship title in the bag, Singapore's soccer chiefs are sure of one thing -- their heart belongs to Raddy.
Inspirational coach Raddy Avramovich led his charges to a dramatic two-legged victory over Thailand at the weekend for Singapore's third regional title and the city state's soccer officials are desperate to hang on to their man.
Avramovich, though, has been cagey about his plans ever since Sunday's second-leg clincher in Bangkok.
"Two years is a long time and you never know," was the 57-year-old's enigmatic reply to reporters' questions on whether he would be at the helm in 2009 when Singapore defend their crown.
Avramovich did say, however, that his immediate priorities were the 2008 Olympic qualifiers, the team's challenge at the SEA Games in December in Thailand and preparations for Singapore's 2010 World Cup qualifiers, which kick off early next year
Ho Peng Kee is also in no doubt what the Football Association of Singapore's priority must be.
"Raddy has done well for Singapore and has helped us remain champions of South-east Asia for the second consecutive tournament," the body's president told Singapore's Today tabloid.
"We have something good going and we will have to do what it takes to keep him in Singapore."
Ho fully endorsed Avramovich's policy of pushing his team to challenge ever stronger opposition.
"Raddy has always said Â… they have to be exposed to top level games. He was right. The experience of playing top teams like Iraq and China and going to the Asian Games in Doha (has) helped the boys.
"It gave them the belief that they would prevail and instilled in them a never-say-die attitude."
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http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-6396413,00.html