Hector Souto Explains Why He's Bringing a Different Squad to the 2026 ASEAN Futsal Championship

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s national futsal team coach, Hector Souto, has revealed the reason behind bringing a different squad to the 2026 ASEAN Futsal Championship.

Souto has called up 25 players for the championship, which Indonesia won two years ago. However, of these 25 players, only Dewa Rizki and Yogi Saputra were part of the Garuda squad that reached the final of the 2026 AFC Futsal Championship.

Quoted from his official Instagram account on Friday, Souto explained that this is aimed at increasing competition within the senior national team. Players who were not part of the squad at the 2026 AFC Futsal Championship will be given the opportunity to showcase their best abilities at the 2026 ASEAN Futsal Championship, formerly known as the AFF Futsal Cup.

“Over the past year and a half, the national team has experienced one of its most successful periods in history: winning the 2024 AFF Championship, winning a gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games, and being runners-up in the 2026 AFC Championship. This is a fact, we are the best national team in the history of this country,” said Souto.

“In this last cycle, our focus has been on the development of senior players: increasing their competitiveness, their ability to adapt to various game situations, and competing against opponents from South America, Europe, and Asia,” he added.

At that time, under coach Amril Daulay, Indonesia emerged as champions after defeating Denmark 4-2 in the final.

With more players gaining international experience, their technique and mentality will improve. Souto’s goal is clear: he wants competitive competition within the senior national team, in order to get the best squad to achieve the big target of reaching the 2028 Futsal World Cup.

“We follow a progressive planning model that is divided into various cycles and phases, each with specific goals, where the main target is to achieve the best performance at the most important moments,” said the Spanish coach.

The 25 players are scheduled to attend a training camp after the end of Ramadan. “This is the time to give new players the opportunity to show their best potential and open up opportunities for integration into the national team, in order to continue strengthening our competitive identity,” Souto concluded.