Japan national football team head coach Moriyasu Hajime [Getty Images]
Japan national football team head coach Moriyasu Hajime [Getty Images]

The Japan Football Association is expected to ask Moriyasu Hajime, 57, to stay on as head coach of the national men's team after Japan's run at the North America World Cup ended in the round of 32 with a loss to Brazil.

Japan Football Association President Miyamoto Tsuneyasu told reporters Wednesday that no official decision had been made, but indicated the federation intended to retain Moriyasu, according to Kyodo News.

Moriyasu has led the Japan men's national team since 2018.

Japan advanced from Group F — widely regarded as one of the tournament's groups of death — finishing second with one win and two draws. The team's run ended with a 1-2 comeback defeat to Brazil, the five-time World Cup champions.

Moriyasu: 'Gap With Brazil Has Narrowed Considerably'

Speaking at a post-match news conference June 30 after the loss to Brazil, Moriyasu said the gap between the two sides had clearly closed. "Japan is definitely getting closer to the world's top level," he said, according to Japanese media including Sponichi Annex.

"It is truly disappointing that we have to end our tournament here," Moriyasu said. "The players gave everything until the very end today, and throughout this journey they treasured every single day and kept pushing forward."

He added that the staff had also supported the team wholeheartedly. "I feel deeply frustrated right now, but I want to accept this result," he said.

Moriyasu acknowledged the defeat reflected a gap that still exists. "Ultimately, losing means there is still a difference," he said, adding that Japan had grown more capable of controlling matches and organizing its defense against fierce opposition pressure.

Japan were without key attackers Minamino Takumi and Mitoma Kaoru, both of whom were ruled out of the final squad through injury.

Captain and midfielder Endo Wataru also withdrew from the squad due to injury, while winger Kubo Takefusa hurt his left knee in the opening group-stage match against the Netherlands.

Despite those absences, Japan went unbeaten in Group F — which also included Sweden and Tunisia — drawing 2-2 with the Netherlands on their way to a one-win, two-draw record.

Japan's best-ever World Cup finish remains the round of 16, a feat the team has achieved four times — in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022.


yul@heraldcorp.com