Japan coach holds head high after comeback loss to Brazil

'Japan is clearly getting closer to the world's top level'

'The fact we lost ultimately shows a gap still exists'

Japan coach Moriyasu Hajime acknowledges the crowd with a dejected expression after his side's round-of-32 loss to Brazil at Houston Stadium in Texas on Tuesday morning. [Reuters]

Japan's national team left the 2026 World Cup with their heads held high despite a comeback defeat to title favorites Brazil.

Japan coach Moriyasu Hajime, whose side fell 1-2 to Brazil in the round of 32 to end their tournament run, expressed disappointment at the result while insisting Japan is closing the gap on the world's best.

At Houston Stadium in Texas on Tuesday morning, Japan struck first when Sano Kaishu scored in the 29th minute. Brazil equalized through Casemiro in the 56th minute, and Gabriel Martinelli delivered a crushing winner in the 95th minute to send the five-time World Cup champions through.

At his post-match press conference, Moriyasu said it was deeply unfortunate that Japan's tournament had to end there.

The coach, who had long stated winning the World Cup as his goal, said the players had given everything until the final whistle and had approached each day of the campaign with dedication. He added that the staff had also supported the team wholeheartedly. "Right now I feel a deep sense of regret, but I want to accept this result," he said.

Japan were without key attackers Minamino Takumi and Mitoma Kaoru, both ruled out of the final squad through injury. Captain and midfielder Endo Wataru also withdrew injured, while winger Kubo Takefusa dropped out after hurting his left knee in the opening group-stage match against the Netherlands.

Despite those setbacks, Japan navigated what was widely regarded as the tournament's group of death — alongside the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia — going unbeaten with one win and two draws, including a 2-2 tie with the Netherlands, to finish second in Group F and advance to the round of 32.

Japan had beaten Brazil 3-2 in a friendly in Tokyo last October — their first-ever victory against Brazil after two draws and 11 losses across 13 previous meetings.

In the rematch roughly eight months later, Japan again matched Brazil stride for stride, only to be felled by a late blow just before the final whistle.

Japan coach Moriyasu Hajime (center) looks out at the pitch after his side's defeat to Brazil in their 2026 FIFA World Cup round-of-32 match in Houston on Tuesday. [EPA]

Moriyasu said the gap in quality between the two sides had clearly narrowed. "I felt that Japan is definitely getting closer to the world's top level," he said.

He acknowledged that the defeat showed a gap still exists, but said Japan had grown more capable of controlling stretches of the game and organizing defensively against intense pressure.

Moriyasu said Japan must sharpen the accuracy and speed of their passing when transitioning from defense to attack and breaking through an opponent's first press. "That is something we absolutely must improve if we are to compete on equal terms with the world's top sides," he said.

Moriyasu, who led Japan at consecutive World Cups — Qatar in 2022 and this tournament — said the team had worked consistently since Qatar and that the squad's level had clearly risen over the past four years. His contract with the national team expires at the end of this tournament.

yjc@heraldcorp.com