Indonesian Futsal Coach Hopes Players Get Scouted by Spanish Clubs
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Indonesian national futsal team coach Hector Souto hopes Indonesian players will be scouted by Spanish clubs.
- He believes playing in European competitions will accelerate player development.
- The team will undergo training and play friendly matches in Spain as preparation for the 2028 Futsal World Cup.
Hector Souto, the head coach of the Indonesian national futsal team, expressed his strong desire for Indonesian players to gain opportunities to play professionally in Spanish futsal clubs. He believes that competing in European leagues is a crucial step for accelerating the quality and development of Indonesian talent.
Souto's aspiration aligns with the national team's upcoming training camp in Spain, scheduled from August 11-23, 2026. Beyond intensive training sessions, the team is slated to play several friendly matches. These games are part of a long-term preparation strategy for the 2028 Futsal World Cup.
I think it would be a very good experience for them if they get the chance to play in Spain. Many of our players, including at the senior level, are very enthusiastic about that possibility.
"I think it would be a very good experience for them if they get the chance to play in Spain. Many of our players, including at the senior level, are very enthusiastic about that possibility," Souto stated during a press conference in Jakarta. He assessed that Indonesian players possess competitive quality but lack exposure, which hinders their visibility to European clubs.
The training camp in Spain is seen as a prime opportunity to showcase the players' abilities to scouts. Souto acknowledged that European and South American players have historically received more attention from a younger age. "Our responsibility is to catch up, step by step. Hopefully, one day we can compete directly with them," he added. A squad of 20 players will travel to Spain for the camp and exhibition matches, aiming to elevate the Indonesian futsal program on the international stage.
Our responsibility is to catch up, step by step. Hopefully, one day we can compete directly with them.
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.