Australia Becomes First Victim of Japan's Revival Mission

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The 2026 Futsal Asian Cup in Jakarta serves as a platform for the Japanese national futsal team to rise from a low point. This mission began with a 6-2 victory over Australia in their first match of Group C on Wednesday (28/1/2026) at the Indonesia Arena, Jakarta.

Since becoming a participant in the inaugural edition of the Futsal Asian Cup in 1999, Japan has always managed to advance beyond the group stage. This impressive streak came to an end in the 2024 edition held in Thailand. For the first time, the team nicknamed "Samurai Five" was eliminated in the qualifying round due to competition with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. This result also caused Japan to fail to qualify for the 2024 Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan.

Japan has entered a new era with coach Kensuke Takahashi after Kenichiro Kogure stepped down following his inability to qualify the team for the 2024 World Cup. Kogure coached Japan from 2021 to 2024. During that period, Japan secured its third Futsal Asian Cup title in 2022.

For Takahashi, undertaking a revival mission in Indonesia is not an unfamiliar task. Takahashi previously assisted Indonesia in reaching the finals of the 2019 ASEAN Futsal Championship.

From 2018 to 2021, Takahashi coached not only the Indonesian men's national futsal team but also the women's national team.

Indonesia's good fortune extended to the first game against Australia. Although the Samurai Lima fell behind just one minute into the match through Ethan De Melo's kick-in, Japan ended the first half with a 4-1 lead.

Japan scored goals through contributions from Matoishi Takehiro (5'), Yamanaka Shoto (6'), Uchida Sunta (10'), and Harada Kokoro (18').

In the second half, Japan made more rotations by trying several variations of play. Amid Australia's ambition to recover, Japan was able to score two additional goals through a shot by Yamata Kaido in the 30th minute and Shimizu Kazuya three minutes before the normal time of the second half ended, or in the 37th minute. One consolation goal for Australia was created by Jyden Jacob Harb in the 32nd minute.

"Starting the tournament with three points aligns with our target. The match did not begin easily, but the team was able to provide a positive response," said Takahashi in the mixed zone after the match.

Takahashi aims for his team to achieve a perfect score in the group stage. Two countries that were part of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, present the next challenges.

In another match of Group C, the duel between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan ended in a 0-0 draw. This was the first draw in the 2026 Futsal Asian Cup.

With that result, Japan temporarily tops Group C. The Samurai Five are followed by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan's evenly matched match was similar to the one they played in the third-place match at the 2024 Asian Futsal Cup.

At that time, after playing for 40 minutes, both teams ended with a final score of 5-5. Uzbekistan was awarded the bronze medal thanks to a penalty shootout victory of 3-1.

The performance of Tajikistan's goalkeeper, Bekmurodov Firuz, was crucial in ending the match with a goalless draw. He recorded seven important saves, including a powerful shot from Uzbekistan's pivot, Kuziev Umed, in the middle of the second half.

He deflected Umed's shot, causing the ball to hit the crossbar. In the final minute of the second half, Firuz blocked a shot from the Uzbekistan player with his foot.

"I am happy to help the team achieve our first points in this tournament. I hope we can perform even better and secure a victory in the second match," said Firuz after the match.

Playing more defensively with a low defensive line, Tajikistan posed a threat. They were the first team to create an opportunity just 37 seconds into the first half.

The pivot, also known as the sole forward from Tajikistan, Solieb Bakhtiyor, faced off one-on-one against the goalkeeper of Uzbekistan. However, his shot was blocked by the chest of the Uzbek goalkeeper, Ibragimov Shavkat.