Diks' dual role: Gladbach captain fights for win while leading Indonesia to ASEAN Cup

Kevin Diks, as interim captain of Borussia Mönchengladbach, faces the task of leading the team back to victory after five lost Bundesliga matches, while also guiding the Indonesian national team to the historic FIFA‑ASEAN‑Cup title.

Leadership in the Bundesliga

The 30‑year‑old defender has worn Gladbach's shirt in three of the first five games because the regular captain Tim Kleindienst is injured. Despite the defeats, Diks remains philosophical and emphasizes that one should focus on what can be controlled. “Negativity attracts negativity, so we focus on what we do well,” he told the international Bundesliga journalists.

Regarding the recent derby loss to Cologne (2‑1), Diks pointed out and explained that defeats are part of the game: “Sometimes you lose 4‑3 or 2‑1, but you have to stay on it.” He added that over the past five to six years he has grown into a leader and that leadership does not always have to be loud.

Success with Indonesia

Last month, Diks took over the captain's role of the Indonesian national team at the start of their FIFA‑ASEAN‑Cup adventure and led the side to victory in the final against Thailand by converting the decisive penalty in the shootout. “It was a great honour, a true rollercoaster of emotions, but we made history,” he emphasized.

He explained that he had already agreed with Joey Pelupessy before the final that he would take the first spot kick because he was confident of hitting the target. “I knew I would score and we would win,” Diks said.

Diks highlighted Gladbach's multicultural composition: “We have Japanese players who are very humble and work hard, I myself am Indonesian, and Wael Mohya, a German with Moroccan roots, also brings special qualities.”

Off the pitch, Diks misses Indonesian cuisine. He named Nasi Kuning and Nasi Goreng as his favourite dishes and recounted that he once invited the entire Gladbach squad to an Indonesian meal. “Everyone loved it,” he added with a laugh.

Next Sunday, Gladbach faces Hoffenheim at home (kick‑off 17:30 CEST) and thus has the chance to claim the season's first win.