Excitement, not nerves, is the dominant emotion for Farmborough Heights footballer Jyden Harb as he prepares to make his debut at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup. The 20-year-old attacking winger has been named in the Futsalroos squad for the prestigious tournament, which kicks off in Indonesia on January 28.
A Dream Realised on the National Stage
For Harb, pulling on the green and gold at a major continental championship represents the culmination of a lifelong ambition. His selection follows an impressive performance at the 2025 Continental Futsal Championship in Thailand last July, where Australia secured third place in Group B.
Futsalroos head coach Miles Downie took note of Harb's talent, subsequently including him in the squad for an A-international against Indonesia in Jakarta on November 1. That match, a 3-1 victory for the hosts, was historic as it marked Indonesia's first game at the newly opened Indonesia Arena.
Navigating a Formidable Group Draw
Australia faces a significant challenge in the group stage, drawn against Asian powerhouses Japan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Harb acknowledges the difficulty but remains optimistic about the team's chances.
"We've definitely got the hardest group. Three of the top four teams from the last Asian Cup are with us," Harb said. "It is going to be hard to get out, but I think the teams suit the way we play. We have a good chance to make the top two, get out of the group, and hopefully progress from there."
The Futsalroos will be aiming to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 2016. Their best finish remains their semi-final appearance in 2012, where they ultimately placed fourth.
A Prolific Journey from the Illawarra to Sydney
Harb's futsal journey began at just eight years of age with the South Coast Taipans. After moving to the Sydney All Stars last year, he enjoyed a stellar season, claiming his fourth consecutive Golden Boot award for topping the league's goalscoring charts.
His goal-scoring prowess isn't confined to the indoor court. The Unanderra Hearts junior also excelled outdoors, winning the Golden Boot while playing for the South Coast Flame. His development included stints with the Wollongong Wolves from under-11s to under-15s.
"I've had a good time indoors and outdoors of late," Harb reflected. His consistent form outdoors earned him a spot with UNSW, who have been promoted to the NSW NPL competition for the upcoming season.
Before he turns his attention to the NPL, Harb's immediate focus is firmly on helping Australia make history in Indonesia. The Futsalroos head into the tournament on the back of a successful qualification campaign in Kuwait, where they topped their group with emphatic wins over Mongolia and India and a draw with the hosts.
The Futsalroos' 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup group stage schedule is:
- Japan vs Australia: Wednesday, January 28 at Indonesia Arena. Kick-off 7pm AEDT.
- Australia vs Uzbekistan: Friday, January 30 at Indonesia Arena. Kick-off 7pm AEDT.
- Tajikistan vs Australia: Sunday, February 1 at Jakarta International Velodrome. Kick-off 7pm AEDT.
