RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s remarkable run at the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup ended in heartbreak, and head coach Hector Souto admits the sting of defeat still lingers. The Spaniard, who guided the national team to its best-ever finish in the tournament, said he remains haunted by the final against Iran at Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, last Saturday.

“It still hurts,” Souto wrote in a caption on his official Instagram account, posted Tuesday, February 10, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The final itself was a rollercoaster. Iran struck early with a quick goal, but Indonesia roared back to lead 3-1. The visitors equalized to 3-3, before Indonesia regained the advantage at 4-3 in regulation time, only for Iran to level again. 

In extra time, Indonesia appeared to be on the brink of glory after going 5-4 ahead with just two minutes left. Yet Iran struck back once more, forcing a 5-5 draw and sending the match to penalties. There, Indonesia fell 4-5.

“I still can’t believe how far we came, how strong we were,” Souto reflected. “But I also can’t forgive myself for letting a final that was already in our hands slip away.”

Despite the disappointment, Souto acknowledged the pride felt across Indonesia. The team’s performance marked a historic milestone, surpassing all previous achievements since their debut in 2002. Still, the coach confessed that the sense of “what could have been” weighs heavily on him.

“Many have congratulated us, but in my mind, it feels like we should have done it. Indonesia deserved it,” he said.

Looking ahead, Souto insists the setback must serve as fuel for greater ambitions. His long-term vision is clear: to elevate Indonesian futsal to the global stage, with the ultimate target of qualifying for the 2028 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

“We want to bring joy to the nation and prove that futsal is a sport of the future when driven by vision, planning, and courage,” Souto declared. “And we’ve already shown glimpses of that. We’ve proven it.”

At 44, the Chantada-born coach remains determined to turn heartbreak into momentum, ensuring Indonesia’s futsal journey continues to rise. ***