Japan's coach until the next World Cup

 

Coach Hajime Moriyasu, who guided Japan to the last sixteen at the World Cup in Qatar, remains in charge. The Japan Football Association confirmed this information on Wednesday (December 28).

Speculation about Moriyasu's future began after Japan's impressive performance at the World Cup in Qatar. Moriyasu's future as Japan's coach is in doubt after failing to reach the quarter-finals once again. But World Cup wins against Germany and Spain saved his job.

On being newly appointed, Moriasu said, 'Of course, I am enjoying this job very much. I am very proud of this Japanese team. It is because of them that we got the opportunity to play in the World Cup. That's why I accepted their offer again.

This is the fourth time Japan has been eliminated from the knockout stage. In the seventh consecutive World Cup, their dream of playing in the quarter-finals was not fulfilled. Moriyasu retained his position as the first Japanese coach after the World Cup. The 54-year-old Moriyasu's new contract will run until the next World Cup, i.e. 2026, Japan Football Association president Kozo Tajima said.

After a disappointing World Cup exit, Moriyasu said Japan is on the right track. He said, "We cannot overcome the challenge of leaving the last sixteen in any way. Many may say that we cannot achieve anything new. But the players tried to prove themselves with 100%, they are not a small team anymore. They have achieved many new things by defeating the two former champions, Germany and Spain.