"Not the Worst Ever": Hajime Moriyasu Defends Hong Myung-bo Amid Diverging Fates of Rivals

Japan national football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu has stated that he does not consider former South Korean national team head coach Hong Myung-bo to be the "worst ever."

This remark comes as a defense of Hong, who is facing intense public criticism following the team's poor performance and elimination in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Coach Moriyasu held a press conference in Tokyo yesterday (July 2) after returning home with his squad.

When a reporter from a Japanese media outlet at the press conference asked for his assessment of the South Korean national team, Moriyasu replied, "I don't have much to say because I don't know the exact situation in South Korea." However, he added, "I have been in contact with Coach Hong as a rival and a friend, and I do not think his World Cup record is the worst in history."

He further remarked that Hong "fought without sparing himself for the sake of Korean football."

Moriyasu continued, "Coach Hong also did his absolute best," explaining, "Evaluations of the World Cup are based on results, so I do not believe everything he has done up to this point was wrong."

He also smiled while adding, "I hope there will be many positive reports about South Korea as well."

The Japanese national team, led by Moriyasu, advanced to the Round of 32 after finishing the group stage with 1 win and 2 draws, totaling 5 points. However, they were defeated 1-2 by Brazil in their first knockout match.

Although they failed to reach the Round of 16, it is reported that the Japan Football Association plans to ask Coach Moriyasu to remain in his position.

Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Lee Da-in | Graphics by Jung Yu-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.