Japan Coach Moriyasu: "Disappointed by Narrow Loss to Brazil, But We Are Closing the Gap on the World's Best"

▲ Japan national football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu greets fans after the match.

Hajime Moriyasu, head coach of the Japan national football team, expressed his disappointment after his side's comeback loss to powerhouse Brazil ended their 2026 FIFA World Cup journey in the Round of 32. However, he found solace in the growth the team has shown over the past four years, noting that they are getting closer to the world's elite level.

Japan lost 2-1 to Brazil in the Round of 32 match held earlier today at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Against Brazil, the most successful nation in World Cup history with five titles, Japan initially sparked hopes of another upset when Kaishu Sano scored the opening goal in the 29th minute. However, they conceded an equalizer to Casemiro in the 56th minute and suffered a heartbreaking defeat after allowing a decisive goal to Gabriel Martinelli in the 95th minute of stoppage time.

According to Japanese media outlets including Sponichi Annex, Moriyasu said in the post-match press conference, "It is truly regrettable that our tournament ends here."

Moriyasu, who had previously stated that winning the World Cup was his goal, added, "The players did their absolute best until the very end today, and they have worked hard, cherishing every day on the journey to get here. The staff also supported the team with great dedication. While I am deeply disappointed right now, I want to accept this result."

Japan entered the tournament without key attackers Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma, who were left off the final roster due to injuries, while captain and midfielder Wataru Endo also had to leave the team due to injury.

Winger Takefusa Kubo had also been sidelined since sustaining a left knee injury in the opening match against the Netherlands.

Despite these circumstances, Japan advanced to the Round of 32 by finishing second in Group F—the tournament's "group of death" alongside the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia—with a record of one win and two draws, including a 2-2 tie against the Netherlands.

Japan had previously secured a 3-2 comeback victory over Brazil in a friendly match held in Tokyo last October.

That was a historic first win against Brazil in 14 meetings, following two draws and 11 losses.

In their rematch eight months later, Japan competed on equal footing but ultimately fell to a last-minute strike.

Nevertheless, Moriyasu remarked, "The gap in quality between us and Brazil has clearly narrowed. I felt that Japan is certainly getting closer to the world-class level."

He acknowledged the difference, saying, "The fact that we lost means a gap still exists," but reflected on the match by adding, "We were able to control the game for longer periods, and we were able to organize our defense against their intense attacks."

He pointed out, "To win, we must continue to improve in both attack and defense."

Japan has made eight consecutive World Cup appearances since their debut at the 1998 tournament in France.

Their best performance remains reaching the Round of 16, which they have achieved four times (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022).

In those tournaments, 32 nations participated, and teams advanced directly to the Round of 16 after the group stage.

Japan successfully passed the group stage for the third consecutive time and the fifth time in total in this tournament, but they were unable to move past the first knockout round once again.

Moriyasu emphasized, "We need to further improve the accuracy of our passes and the speed of transition when moving from defense to attack, specifically in how we escape the opponent's initial pressure. This is an area we must improve to compete on equal terms with the world's powerhouses."

Moriyasu, who has led the Japanese national team for two consecutive World Cups following the 2022 Qatar tournament, added, "We have worked consistently since the Qatar tournament, and I believe the team's level has clearly risen over the past four years."

Moriyasu, whose contract runs through this tournament, stated that nothing has been decided regarding his future.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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