Indonesia's captain reveals the 'golden secret', ready to defeat Vietnam

With only a day left until the clash with defending champions Vietnam in the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026, team captain Rizky Ridho opened up about his motivational path to maturity, and revealed the principles that helped him become the squad's leader.

The 24-year-old center-back said his love for football originated from the streets and alleys of his hometown, Surabaya. As a child, Ridho often played football with friends before his father took him to watch Persebaya Surabaya matches. Those experiences nurtured his dream of becoming a professional player.

"I just played football on the streets, in small alleys, and from that, I developed the desire to become a professional player. Later, my father would often take me to watch Persebaya play. The atmosphere in the stadium made me even more determined to pursue football," Ridho shared.

Beyond inspiring him, Ridho's father also taught him lessons about discipline. Even though as a child he often wanted to stay out playing with friends, Ridho always had to be home before 9:00 PM as per his father's rule.

As he grew up, the Indonesian center-back realized that this was how his father helped him build discipline and maintain proper rest habits to support his training.

"My father taught me to respect time. He always emphasized that rest is a very important part of recovery. I also learned from the sacrifices he made for the family and always want to become someone like him," Ridho said.

Those lessons helped Ridho become one of the most consistent center-backs in Indonesian football. He has earned over 50 caps for the national team and was given the captain's armband in the quest to win the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 under coach John Herdman.

Ridho's name also made waves internationally when a goal scored from his own half while playing for Persija Jakarta in 2024 earned him a nomination for the FIFA Puskás Award 2025, making him the first Indonesian player to be shortlisted for this award. Still, the 2001-born center-back remains humble.

"I am very grateful. I never thought I would be nominated. There was a bit of luck when I saw the goalkeeper was off his line, so I decided to shoot and the ball went into the net. I'm proud to have put Indonesia's name on the world stage," he shared.

What Ridho is focused on now is not individual honors, but the first Southeast Asian championship trophy in Indonesian football history.

After finishing as runners-up in the ASEAN Championship 2021 and then being eliminated in the semi-finals of the next edition, Ridho said the team is determined to make their unfinished dream a reality.

"Hopefully we will win and bring the trophy back to Indonesia. The fans have been waiting for this for too long," the Indonesia captain emphasized.

Ridho also had high praise for coach John Herdman, who was appointed in early 2026. According to the center-back, the special thing about the English tactician is building a team with many leaders rather than relying on one individual.

"He is very detailed and brings positive energy. In the team, there is not just one leader but six or seven players sharing the responsibility. That makes the whole squad more united and focused on the championship goal.

Hopefully we will perform exactly as the coaching staff expects, bring joy to the fans, and for the first time bring the ASEAN Hyundai Cup trophy to Indonesia," Ridho affirmed.

Indonesia will step into an important match against the Vietnamese team at Pakansari Stadium (Bogor) on August 3. This is considered a significant clash in the race for a spot in the semi-finals of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026.