Underdogs, but Indonesia target semis
Riedl admits his Indonesia side and Singapore are underdogs in Group A, but still targets Suzuki Cup semis
The odds are stacked against them ahead of November's AFF Suzuki Cup, and Indonesia national coach Alfred Riedl knows it.
But the Austrian is hoping third time's a charm - he has led the Merah Puteh (Red and White) at two editions of the tournament - and reckons they can make it out of a difficult Group A that also has Singapore, defending champions Thailand and tournament co-hosts Philippines.
Singapore and Thailand are joint record four-time winners of the Suzuki Cup, while the Philippines have tapped on their global diaspora to surge up the Fifa world rankings, and are now rated the second-best team in Asean.
The Indonesian press have even labelled Group B "Grup Neraka" (The Group of Hell) and expectations are low.
But Riedl, in a phone interview with The New Paper, said: "Of course it's a tough group. Tougher than Group B, for sure.
"Thailand are powerhouses, the best team in South-east Asia, and Philippines have made good progress over the last three or four years, and are still making good progress.
"We are the underdogs in Group B, as are Singapore. But you have to remember, the favourites can also die.
"We have seen recently that the underdogs can dream. Look at Leicester City in the Premier League last season, or Portugal at the European Championship.
"Previously, my target was to reach the final. Now, after the draw, I say if we can reach the semi-finals - especially out of this group - anything is possible."
Yet, the 66-year-old former Standard Liege striker knows he has his job cut out for him.
Indonesia have not played an international match since March 2015.
SUSPENDED
Two months after that game - a 1-0 win over Myanmar - world body Fifa suspended Indonesia for government interference, barring its teams from international competition at every age-group level.
That ban was lifted in May this year, but inadvertently only added to the mess that is Indonesian football.
Explained Riedl: "It is very difficult for us.
"The league in Indonesia began in late April, and four weeks later, Fifa lifted the suspension on the national team.
"But the TV rights for the league, and player contracts at clubs, so on, have already all been secured until the end of December.
"So, two weeks ago, (PSSI) had a meeting with the clubs and came to an agreement: I, as national coach, will be able to select two players per team for international games, and the league continues as planned."
It is hardly an ideal setup for a national coach.
"Yes, of course, because in some teams maybe there are three or four players you would like to pick," admitted Riedl.
"But I have coached here before, so I know what it is like."
Riedl first coached Indonesia in 2010, leading them to the Suzuki Cup final that year - only to lose 4-2 on aggregate to Malaysia.
He left seven months later amidst a "power struggle" in the PSSI, but returned in 2013. But his second Suzuki Cup campaign with Indonesia ended in a first-round exit, which cost him his job.
After Fifa's ban was lifted, the PSSI appointed Riedl as head coach again, but not before bizarrely openly admitting they had tried to woo Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho - then without a club - to take up the job.
Riedl has had vast experience working in South-east Asia, having also led the Vietnam national team three times, and even led them to the quarter-finals of the 2007 Asian Cup.
Despite their problems off the pitch, Indonesia certainly still have some impressive talent on it.
The pint-sized attacking midfielder Andik Vermansyah, who plays for Malaysian giants Selangor FA, has searing pace and flair, while striker Irfan Bachdim, who is in the squad of J.League side Consodole Sapporo, and Boaz Salossa can provide a cutting edge up front.
AFF SUZUKI CUP DRAW
GROUP A
- Philippines
- Thailand
- Singapore
- Indonesia
GROUP B
- Myanmar
- Malaysia
- Vietnam
*Qualification round winner
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