[Anchor]

While former national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo faces public criticism at home, Japan's national team head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, has offered remarks that stand in stark contrast to the local sentiment. He stated that "Coach Hong dedicated himself to his country" and urged people to "praise Coach Hong and his players."

Reporter Ha Seong-nyong has the story.

[Reporter]

Japan's national team head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, held a wrap-up press conference yesterday (July 2) after returning home to a warm welcome, despite a comeback loss following a hard-fought match against Brazil in the Round of 32.

When asked about South Korean football and former coach Hong Myung-bo, he provided an answer that contradicted the prevailing sentiment in Korea.

[Hajime Moriyasu / Japan National Football Team Head Coach: I do not think this World Cup was the 'worst result' in history. I believe that Coach Hong Myung-bo poured everything he had into his country with sincerity. They secured one win against a strong team.]

Moriyasu has maintained a friendship with the former coach since their playing days, having faced each other multiple times in the J.League and international matches.

While admitting he is not fully aware of the situation in Korea, he argued that the criticism currently being directed at the former coach is based on harsh hindsight.

[Hajime Moriyasu / Japan National Football Team Head Coach: Even if we judge by the results, I do not think everything he (Coach Hong Myung-bo) has done so far was wrong. I hope people will send them praise, considering how hard (Coach Hong and the players) worked for their country.]

Recently, sympathy for the former coach has been growing in Japan.

Taro Kono, a member of the House of Representatives who previously served as the representative for Shonan Bellmare, posted on social media regarding the former coach—who played for Bellmare and Kashiwa Reysol and became the first foreign captain in the league—saying, "Do not harass Hong Myung-bo, who was one of our own." Local media also reported that multiple J.League clubs are interested in recruiting him.

Former coach Hong, who left for Los Angeles, USA, where his family resides, just two days after returning to Korea yesterday, avoided reporters at the airport as well.

(Video reporting: Yang Doo-won, Video editing: Ha Seong-won, Design: Park Tae-young)