Canberra-born Evans came through the Capital Football Academy and ACT Academy, was an Australian Schoolboy representative and played senior first team football in the NPL at just 16.
But the midfielder was unable to crack the A-League, despite trials with Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners, and headed overseas to play professionally at the age of 18. After stints in Hong Kong, Thailand and Laos, Evans has been in Indonesia for the past three years and this season has starred for PSM Makassar.
The 25-year-old helped the South Sulawesi outfit win the Indonesia Cup and reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup, as his impressive performances have put bigger Asian sides on alert.
Evans is thriving in Indonesia’s Liga 1, which is made up of 18 clubs.
“This is now my third year living in Indonesia and I am enjoying it,” he told The World Game.
“I have adapted well and I’m finding the country and the people very nice towards me personally. This season personally in my eyes has been a very successful season for the team and for myself.
“We have reached the semi final of the AFC Cup, won the Indonesia Cup and are currently sitting fifth in the league table with four games to go. Personally for me it’s been my best season as a professional footballer.
“I have scored four goals so far this season. Three of them arguably the most important goals in the clubs history – one in the AFC Cup semi final, one in the Indonesia Cup semi-final and one in the Indonesia Cup final to be crowned champions.”
Evans, who has been mentored by former Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory midfielder Kaz Patafta, is one of a number of young Australians who have been forced overseas with opportunities blocked in the A-League.
“I had a few trials with Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners around the age of 16, 17,18 but it didn’t work out and I also didn’t feel it was the right place for me to be, so I looked abroad and got my opportunity to play outside of Australia instead,” he explained.
“It would have been nice if I got an official offer as I am Australian but it didn’t work out that way and that’s okay, I have absolutely no regrets.
“I felt that at a young age it was very difficult and I didn’t want to let the A-League stand in my way of being a professional football player, as there are many other countries around the world I can play football in.
“Kaz Patafta was a big influence on me as I started to grow up and mature in my young career. He was around me guiding me and advising me on what I should and shouldn’t do and also assisted me in finding new clubs when necessary and maintaining myself on and off the pitch.
“He is still around me now and he is an incredible mentor and person as he himself was a professional football player for the likes of Benfica, Melbourne victory and also the young Australian national teams.”
While Indonesian football might be underestimated by many around the world, Evans insists the Liga 1 is a decent level.
“There are players here who have wonderful individual skill and the fans here are absolutely so passionate about football,” he said.
“It’s different to back home in Australia, in my opinion the Indonesian football style is very high paced and requires players to have wonderful fitness and be physically strong on the field.
“Without these two factors, I have seen personally myself people come here and not be able to adapt just based on not having either of these two attributes.
“The locals are very fast and very physical and the weather players a big part in matches. I believe Thailand is the most technical and most structured country I have played in. On and off the field Thailand is very professional and technical.”
PSM Makassar is the oldest club in Indonesia, as they were founded in 1915, and have historically been one of the most successful. Nicknamed The Red Fish, they finished second in the league last season and have regularly featured in Asian club competitions.
Evans joined PSM, who are managed by former Wellington Phoenix coach Darije Kalezic, at the end of 2018 after two seasons with Barito Putera.
“PSM is known as a big club in Indonesia and I certainly agree,” he said.
“The set-up in the club and the expectation for us to win is very high. The players that are here are some of the best players in Indonesia and it shows by the accomplishments that we have achieved this year.
“Our fans are absolutely amazing and so passionate and are always singing and dancing in every home match and every away match supporting us.”
Evans is off-contract at the end of this year and the ex-Canberra FC midfielder admits he is unsure at this stage where his future lies.
“At the moment it’s up in the air,” he said.
“I have an option to stay here at PSM but I also have other clubs showing strong interest in me as my contract will end with the club in early January.
“Right now I’m focused on completing the final games of the season and leave all the talking up to my agent and I will access all my options at the end of the season.”
