Hector Souto Doesn't Burden Championship Target at ASEAN Futsal 2026, Focuses on Indonesian National Team Performance.

Coach of Indonesian National Futsal Team, Hector Souto, is taking a different approach ahead of the 2026 ASEAN Futsal Championship. He is not burdening his squad with a championship target, despite Indonesia's status as defending champions.

Souto is prioritizing performance and playing identity in the tournament, which will take place in Thailand from April 5–13. 

"I'm not pressuring the players about results. I'm only asking them to play our style and give their best," said Souto after leading a training session for the Indonesian National Futsal Team in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Indonesia arrives as the 2024 edition Champion, but the Spanish coach stressed that the preparation context this time is very different. 

In the previous edition, the team had about two months to refine their strategy, including training camps in Malang, Yogyakarta, and Jakarta, as well as a 10-day trial period in Thailand.

Now, time is the main constraint. As of Wednesday, the squad has only trained for three days and will have only two additional days before departing for Thailand. Souto acknowledged this situation complicates the team's adaptation process.

‎Despite this, internal expectations are maintained to avoid any decline. Souto asserted his team will still perform competitively despite the time limitations.

"Like the assessment of several other coaches, Indonesia has players with good abilities. A team can play well but lose. Or play poorly and win. ‎What's important is that we must be competitive," said the 44-year-old coach.

Since taking charge of the national team, Souto has led Indonesia to win the 2024 ASEAN Futsal Championship, the Gold Medal at the 2025 SEA Games, and become runners-up in the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup. This track record makes Indonesia a force to be reckoned with in the region.

In the 2026 edition, Indonesia is grouped in Group B with Australia, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Brunei Darussalam, facing the challenge of maintaining consistency amid increasingly balanced competition.

Albagir Returns, Goalkeeper Competition Heats Up

Goalkeeper Muhammad Albagir welcomed the chance to return to the national team after a long absence. He wasn't even in the squad when Indonesia reached the final of the Futsal Asian Cup earlier this year, when the main spot was held by Ahmad Habibie.

“Of course I’m happy. It's been a long time... but, the target remains the same, get through this selection first before thinking about the next step,” said Albagir.

The Blacksteel goalkeeper last played for Indonesia in the 4 Nation Series against Japan, where the Red and White team won 1-0.

Ambition to Defend the Title

National team futsal player Dewa Rizki holds a big ambition to defend the championship title. Dewa was part of the Indonesian squad that won the 2024 edition after defeating Vietnam 2-0 in the final.

“It’s definitely a special motivation. Especially since Indonesia were champions in the previous AFF Cup (ASEAN Futsal Championship). We definitely want to retain the champion's trophy and keep working hard,” said Dewa.

He affirmed his commitment to perform optimally to secure a spot in the final squad.

“I am very grateful to be called up for this AFF Cup (ASEAN Futsal Championship) selection. I definitely want to give my best again in every match. Basically, all-out, do the best for myself and Indonesia,” concluded the player who was part of the squad that reached the final of the 2026 Futsal Asian Cup.