Japan can ‘absolutely become the world’s best,’ says outgoing coach Moriyasu

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu will leave his job after a friendly against Paraguay on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Coach Hajime Moriyasu said Japan can become the best in the world after beating Brazil for a second time, as he prepares to step down after eight years in charge.

Japan shocked the five-time world champion 3-2 in a friendly in Singapore on Saturday, with substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scoring an injury-time winner.

The victory came just over a year after Japan beat Brazil for the first time in a friendly in Tokyo. Brazil eliminated Japan from this year’s World Cup in North America with a 2-1 win in the Round of 32.

Moriyasu will leave his job after a friendly against Paraguay on Tuesday, but he is certain that Japan are on track to become a major football nation.

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“The players showed confidence and courage and dug in when they needed to dig in. At the World Cup in the future, Japan can absolutely become the world’s best,” he said.

Moriyasu, Japan’s longest-serving coach, was originally set to lead the team at the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in January before handing the reins to current Under-23 boss Go Oiwa.

But the Asian Football Confederation announced that the tournament would be pushed back to December 2027 due to “exceptional circumstances” in the region, following Houthi attacks on the host country.

The JFA confirmed on Friday that next week’s game would be Moriyasu’s last. “Aiming for wins and growth, I will strive to do my best as I always have,” Moriyasu said.