Indonesia National Team Coach erupts with emotion after 5-3 victory over Japan, reaching the Asian final

Coach Hector Soutor expressed his joy as Indonesia’s futsal team officially secured a spot in the 2026 Asian Futsal Championship final.

On the evening of February 6, Indonesia’s national futsal team created an unprecedented shock by qualifying for the final of the 2026 Asian Futsal Cup for the first time, following an impressive 5-3 win over the powerhouse Japan.

Fueled by the passionate support of their home crowd, Indonesia delivered a convincing performance to overcome one of the continent’s most traditional powerhouses. This victory not only propelled the host nation into the final but also marked a historic milestone for Indonesian futsal.

After the match, head coach Hector Souto showed humility by stating that the success was not his alone but the result of the whole team’s efforts.

“I am not the one who made history, it is the entire team. I’m starting to feel tired of being called the person who made history,” Souto said during the press conference. “This achievement comes from the hard work of many people. Fans need to understand that we are still striving. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we fail. Like Japan today, they played very well, but in football, sometimes you lose and sometimes you win.”

The 44-year-old coach especially thanked his family, particularly his spouse who is taking care of their child in Spain. “First of all, I want to thank my wife, who is looking after my child in Spain,” Hector Souto shared at the press conference.

Regarding the technical aspects, the Spanish coach admitted that the match against Japan went exactly as expected and required his players to perform almost perfectly. He believed Indonesia’s futsal team had an exciting night, with Samuel Eko and teammates showing improving form.

“About the match, I am satisfied with the first half and especially pleased with how we played during extra time. The players controlled the ball well and created chances from set pieces,” Souto analyzed.

Concluding the press conference, Indonesia’s head coach expressed pride in how his players managed the game, both technically and mentally. “I am very proud of the players, not only for how they played but also for how they behaved throughout the match,” he emphasized.

In the final, Indonesia will face their greatest challenge against Iran, the team known as the “Asian futsal kings” with 13 titles, the most in the tournament’s history.

The 2026 Asian Futsal Cup final between Indonesia and Iran will take place at Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, on February 7.