Hajime Moriyasu targets Asian Cup title after Japan extend coach’s tenure

TOKYO – Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has set his sights on a final shot at glory at the 2027 Asian Cup, after the Japan Football Association on July 23 extended his tenure up till the tournament before handing the reins to Under-21 manager Go Oiwa.

Moriyasu, who has led Japan since 2018, will remain in charge until the continental championship concludes in February, with Oiwa set to take over as head coach as Japan begin preparations for the 2030 World Cup.

The 57-year-old said his focus was firmly on delivering Asia’s biggest prize before stepping aside.

“Whether it is four years, two years, one year or six months, my mindset remains the same towards the goal... that Japan will win the World Cup by 2050,” Moriyasu told reporters on July 24.

“I want to bring together the past, the present and the future, while making the best choices for the team today. It’s a difficult balance, but I intend to select players and build a squad (for the Asian Cup) with a focus on winning the tournament, based on the belief that doing so will help Japanese football continue to grow.”

He guided Japan to the last 32 at the World Cup before a heartbreaking stoppage-time 2-1 defeat by Brazil ended their campaign in June.

He also led Japan to the Asian Cup final in 2019, when they lost to Qatar. At the 2023 edition, the four-time champions were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Iran.

Japan begin their Group F campaign against Indonesia on Jan 11 and Moriyasu said he will be working closely with Oiwa as he aims to build the senior side with an objective of lifting the trophy.

“We have already brought players from the U-21 team led by coach (Go) Oiwa into the senior national team, before returning them to his side,” Moriyasu said.

“We will continue to communicate closely, but ultimately, the decisions (during the Asian Cup) will be mine, and I’ll take full responsibility for managing the team during my time in charge.”

Meanwhile in other World Cup news, title-winning Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was appalled by the conduct of Argentina’s players after their 1-0 loss in the July 19 final, which led to a brawl between the two teams and triggered an investigation by FIFA.

At the final whistle, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes clashed with several Spanish players, including defender Eric Garcia and midfielder Gavi, starting the fight. The teams had to be physically separated, with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni trying to calm down the players.

FIFA has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the incident.

“I find it intolerable and unacceptable from players of that calibre, whom I had been praising in the days before and who have a magnificent coach,” de la Fuente told Spanish public broadcaster TVE on July 23 in his first comments following the final whistle.

“I want to highlight our behaviour in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation. Our players always kept their composure and behaved like true professionals.”

Reuters has contacted the Argentine Football Association for comment on de la Fuente’s remarks.

Argentina’s assistant coach Roberto Ayala apologised on July 22 for his part in the altercation in the aftermath of the final.

De la Fuente, who also led Spain to the European Championship in 2024, added that managing the national team in the 2030 World Cup co-hosted by the country will be “the greatest source of pride for any coach”. REUTERS