Alfred Riedl, The Trainer That Smiles Stingy His Players Love

Alfred Riedl (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Former Indonesian national team coach Alfred Riedl died of cancer, Monday, September 7 evening Austrian time. Riedl died at the age of 70.

Even though he never gave the title to the Indonesian national team, Riedl's success in bringing the national team to the AFF Cup final twice, namely in 2010 and 2016 left beautiful memories for Indonesian footballers.

The Indonesian national team player Sergio Van Dijk assessed that the training method used by Riedl was at the same level as coaches in Europe. When he was first called to strengthen the national team 6 years ago, the former Persib striker admitted that it was not too difficult to follow the system applied by Riedl in training.

"I can see how to train him as a coach is almost the same as European coaches," he said as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, September 9.

Riedl was also known as a stern figure. He did not hesitate to drop Boaz Solossa's name from the 2010 AFF Cup national plate because the player was late in arriving in Jakarta.

But on the other hand, the racist interpreter is not a vindictive type. The proof, when he was trusted to return to handle the 2016 AFF Cup national team, Boaz was called and even appointed as team captain. Even though at that time Boaz was 30 years old.

There is one other unique thing about a Riedl. Have television cameras ever caught a Riedl's smile in the middle of a match? Never.

He always looks flat, even dirty. It doesn't matter what results his foster children get. Win or lose, be barren or score goals. Riedl was expressionless.

Bambang Pamungkas once told a story at the Bepe20 Bicara event. The legend of the Indonesian national team and Persija scored a goal in the last Group A match against Thailand in the 2010 AFF Cup.

As a result, the match is not important because the national team has already qualified for the knockout stages. But psychologically this match is very important because Indonesia has not won in 15 years against Thailand.

At that time Indonesia was one goal behind. Meanwhile, Thailand must win because a draw cannot pass them to the next round.

In the 83rd minute, Cristian Gonzales is attacked by a Thai player in the penalty box and the referee points to the spot. At that time, no one dared to be the executor until Bepe finally got the courage.

Goal! Bepe successfully netted the ball into Shintaweecai Hathairattanakool's goal. Then he turned to the bench, where Riedl was. What did he see? There was no happy reaction from Riedl.

But it was a testament to the seriousness and totality of a Riedl. He looked so seriously at the minute by minute appearance of his foster children. That is what made him loved by his foster children.

Among journalists, Alfred was also very popular. He has unique words that are always said after every training session. "You need me?" the familiar interrogative sentence of a Riedl until now. Goodbye Coach!