Maarten Rieder: Midfielder, ADO Den Haag U19 2016/17
POST BY: BSN Sport interviewed student Maarten Rieder, about his burgeoning football career with ADO Den Haag
Name: Maarten Rieder
Position: Midfielder
Club: ADO Den Haag
Nationality: German
Favourite football team: Liverpool FC
What are your strengths as a player? I can read the game well and have good insight of play. Furthermore, I have good tackling ability and my passing is good too which is very important as a midfielder.
How did you get involved in football? From a very young age I’ve been interested in ballgames. There was nothing I wanted to do more than to play football. I’ve always had a passion for the game.
Pre-match meal: Usually Pasta Bolognese.
Where did you first begin playing? I started playing for SV Rijswijk, which was a club close to my house but have since played for several other teams before joining ADO.
ADO Den Haag Under 19 – Maarten pictured front row, fourth from left
How did you get scouted to play for ADO? I got scouted whilst I was playing for SV Velo Wateringen. Scouts from ADO came to see our matches on Saturdays and watched many games before inviting me to have a couple trial training sessions and play a game with them.
Who has been your toughest opponent to play against? Definitely Ajax, they have a great team and in the last couple of years we have not been able to win against them.
What has been the best ground that you have played at? The best ground that I have played at is PSV, they have a great AstroTurf pitch which has got stands surrounding most of the pitch which is not something you have at all clubs.
Who is your role model and why? My role model is Thiago Alcantara who plays for Bayern Munich, this is because I like the way he is always calm and composed on the ball and knows the right time to pass the ball or to have a shot. He is also a very skillful player which I want to interpret more into my style of playing.
What is your proudest moment? Being invited to train with the first team of ADO in the stadium, and meeting all the players I would normally only get to see on TV.
How has the BSN helped your progress in and outside of school? The BSN has been very accommodating in allowing me to keep to my training schedule.
What are your aspirations for the future? I want to become a professional football player and some day play in the Barclays Premier League, as well as studying sports science at university.
What does an average training schedule look like for you? It depends on the weekday. However, I have gym three times a week and extra individual training sessions two times a week. Therefore, it can lead up to having three sessions in one day with a gym, individual and a group session each.
How many times a week do you train? I train 4 days a week, that would add up to 9 training sessions (including gym) over those 4 days.
Do you have to work on your fitness away from the club? No, as we train so often during the week this is not necessary. During club holidays I follow an individual fitness programme.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time? I hope to have managed to get a contract at a professional football club and to have completed my BA in Sports Science.
Do you have to follow a diet? Yes, I have to be careful about what I eat and when. In order to perform well and gain the least possible amount of fat I have to follow a healthy, varied and balanced diet.
ADO Den Haag are in the Eredivisie Championship.
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