Transitioning from a former footballer to the head of the Japan Futsal League is no easy feat. For someone like Matsui Daisuke, who has had a distinguished football career, stepping into the world of futsal, a fast-paced, technique-driven game, presents unique challenges.
“In Japan’s history, there is practically no one that has been involved in both football and futsal,” Matsui shared during an exclusive Junpiter Futbol interview, emphasizing the rarity of his career path. “We can talk about a huge country like Brazil, where it is common for footballers to play both, but not us in Japan. So yes, it’s certainly not an easy task if you ask me. Since now I’m in this position, the management trusts me, I will do my best to lead the league.”
Matsui’s transition from football to futsal was fueled by his natural inclination toward the latter. “When I was in my early twenties, our football coach always wanted us to play two-touch football, and I didn’t really enjoy it. I’m someone who loves to take the ball and dribble—turning and spinning around with footwork. I don’t like to release the ball!” This passion led him to futsal, where those intricate ball skills and love for technical flair were given room to shine. Although he turned professional in futsal much later at 40, he fondly recalls his early experiences on the futsal court.
As the newly appointed Chairman of the Japan Futsal League, he recognizes the challenges that lie ahead. One of the key issues is the gap between football and futsal’s popularity in Japan.
“Football is clearly the more popular one. So yeah, this is one of the challenges we will have to tackle to improve the overall awareness of futsal,” he noted. Reflecting on his own missed opportunities, he added, “I do regret that I didn’t have the opportunity to get more involved in futsal when I was younger. When you look at established futsal nations like Brazil, Portugal, or Spain, their 12-year-olds are so comfortable with the ball at their feet. Their ball proficiency is amazing,” said the former Japan International.
But despite the gap, the potential for futsal in Japan is promising. The technical demands of futsal—quick transitions and small, detailed techniques—benefit footballers as well, which is why the development of futsal could help elevate the country’s overall footballing standard. “Both futsal and football are connected in a way where it will certainly benefit a footballer. The latter focuses a lot on techniques, especially the quick transition from attack to defense and vice versa. It’s really very interesting,” he explained.
Looking outward, the future of futsal in Asia, including places like Singapore, also holds promise. He was intrigued to learn about Singapore’s newly formed futsal team, Buangkok Kampung, which is set to compete in the Brunei Premier Futsal League.
“Honestly, I do not know much about Kampung Buangkok, but we can do some collaboration, like inviting them to come over to Japan for a training camp.” His advice to the Singaporean side was realistic yet encouraging: “For a team to play in another league overseas, that’s not going to be easy. I hope that they can stay focused and do their best. We wish them the best of luck.”
He also pointed out an interesting trend that might influence the future of futsal in both Japan and other regions like Singapore: climate change. “Due to global warming, the weather temperature is rising, which I believe is the same for Singapore. So indoor sports like futsal should be one of the sports which everyone could be looking at for children who love the game.” This observation underscores how futsal, an indoor sport, could become a more prominent activity in hotter climates, providing children with an enjoyable and safer alternative to traditional football.
As the leader of the Japan Futsal League, his goal is not just to promote the sport but also to elevate it to new heights. His journey from football to futsal demonstrates that passion and adaptability are key, and he hopes to inspire future generations to embrace the fast-paced, technical world of futsal with the same enthusiasm.
Thank you Japan Football Association for the exclusive invite. Special mention to Kampung Buangkok Futsal Team for making this trip possible.
