Unveiling India’s futsal debut: A candid conversation with player Jayesh Sutar

by Chittu Shetty August 16, 2023

In an exclusive interview, Indian futsal player Jayesh Sutar reflects on the nation’s historic debut in international futsal, shedding light on the journey, aspirations, and lessons learned from facing formidable opponent Bahrain

India’s recent plunge into international futsal was nothing short of historic. The nation’s fledgling futsal team faced off against Bahrain in two friendly matches, marking India’s inaugural foray onto the international futsal stage.

Despite facing a formidable opponent, Bahrain, ranked 71st in the world, and experiencing a 3-0 and 4-0 loss, the journey was a testament to the Indian team’s grit and determination. In an exclusive interview, we sat down with Indian futsal player, Jayesh Sutar, to delve into the experience, aspirations, and future prospects of futsal in India.

1. A Journey from Dreams to History-Making

The significance of representing one’s nation resonates deeply with Jayesh Sutar. As he recounts his journey, Jayesh paints a vivid picture of his passion and the hurdles he overcame to be a part of the national futsal team. “Being in the national team is something that I dreamt of the day I started playing. Through all the challenges, setbacks, and the doubting voices of others, it feels like destiny that I now proudly represent the national squad.” he expresses, shedding light on the years of perseverance amid rejections. His journey, marked by sacrifices and determination, culminated in the historic moment when India’s futsal team squared off against Bahrain. “To be honest, I never imagined being in the history of Indian futsal and being in the team which played Bahrain,” Jayesh adds with heartfelt emotion.

2. Paving the Path and Shaping the Future

Jayesh offers insights into the formation of the Indian futsal team, shedding light on the meticulous process that led to the team’s composition. The pre-camp saw 31 players gather, later expanding to 42. Post the month long camp, 22 players were selected and then 14 embarked on the journey to Bahrain. Selected based on their prowess demonstrated in the national championship, these players trained intensely and diligently. Jayesh also highlights the rapid growth of futsal in India, attributing it to the efforts of state bodies and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The upcoming AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers further exemplify the game’s promising future in India.

3. The Bahrain Encounter: A Lesson in Tenacity

Reflecting on the Bahrain friendlies, Jayesh shares his impressions. The experience was nothing short of wonderful, as India faced a formidable opponent. Despite the scoreline, Jayesh believes that the Indian team showcased significant progress in the second match, emphasizing their enhanced intensity, well-structured attack, and defense.

“We faced a team ranked 71st in the world and 10th in Asia. We learnt about the playing in very high intensity and having well organized shape of attack and defence and we applied it in the second game and had a better performance, creating lot of good chances” The learnings from these matches resonate deeply, revealing the areas for improvement and growth on the international futsal scene.

4. The Elevation of Team Spirit

Jayesh describes the team atmosphere during the past week, post-Bahrain encounters. The camaraderie between players has grown stronger, resulting in a more confident and united unit. As India gears up for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers, this enhanced team spirit serves as a crucial asset for the upcoming challenges.

5. Rallying the Fans: A Call to Support

In his closing words, Jayesh sends out a heartfelt message to all Indian football enthusiasts. He appeals to fans to embrace the Indian national futsal team with the same fervor and passion that they reserve for cricket and traditional football.

Jayesh’s message resonates deeply, underlining the importance of uniting as one behind the team, as they carve a place for themselves in the annals of Indian sports history.

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