fifa world cup 2022

Japan's last-16 exit reflects highs and lows under Moriyasu

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Appreciate Moriyasu's efforts but not sure if he's the right man to maintain the helm for the next four years. What do others think?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

He should not at all be bowing in apology, but bowing at the end of a great performance. Japan did a good job -- much better than expected -- and this man is to thank, as well as the players and REAL fans.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

No need for the deep bow you and your team did great. Penalties always suck, I know I'm English.

A valiant effort that could have turned out differently on any other day. Come home proud of your achievements Samurai's.You beat Germany and Spain! Hold your heads up high! I salute you.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

The entire Japanese team did well. They should be proud. They represented Japan quite nicely. Nothing to be sorry about.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Jayel , Japan weren't at the Spain 82 world cup.

They didn't qualify until France 1998.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Not a big fan of the photo. No need to look like sorry-as* politicians that are commonplace in Japan. There's no disgrace in his team's performance. If he's bowing to the fans, or to his team, all the more power to him. Someone should ask him.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I am afraid I am an armchair fan tending toward the No camp in answer to tamanegi’s question, although of course I concede that “Gaffer” Moriyasu did a lot of things right, and you can’t miss the fact that he is a very decent guy (and perhaps an ideal assistant manager and tactical consultant?).

 

I have to declare a bias here: I’m a resident of Kagoshima where many are still moaning that he didn’t pick our local hero Osako Yuya in his squad. Even putting my local bias aside and recognizing that the experienced players left out were not as good as they had been in 2018, I really believe (FWIW) that someone like Osako or Haraguchi should have been in the 26-man squad (even if not starting members), and might have used their experience to provide the missing ingredient at a crucial moment. Oh well.

 

Even if I am wrong about that, taking a cold, hard look at what’s needed for the Japanese football to go one (or two or three) better next time, suggests to me it’s time for someone else to build on Moriyasu-san's legacy while adding something new to the mix. But he’ll always be able to look back in satisfaction at what he achieved against Germany and Spain and how that advanced Japanese football on the world stage.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I think a large part of the success is due to very low morale among European teams. Germany faced a massive boycott due to Qatar human rights abuses for example.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

One could photoshop the background, put Moriyasu in a temple/funeral situation and it'd look more appropriate than bowing on a pitch in a black suit and shoes.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@smithinjapan I agree he should not be bowing for a loss period if that is the reason. I say this because the Coaches job is to instruct and coach and prepare the players for their opponents. The players job is to do what they are coached and trained to do. The coach can't kick the ball or pass the ball, he can only instruct and teach them, what players do on the field in terms of actively playing is out of his control. I agree Japan did better than expected and they did a good job, hopefully this carries over into the next world cup should they participate. I think he should hold his head up high thanking his players and "REAL FANS"!

He should not at all be bowing in apology, but bowing at the end of a great performance. Japan did a good job -- much better than expected -- and this man is to thank, as well as the players and REAL fans.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

No Moriyasu no no no.

That act of conscience stricken guilt is unnecessary and frankly makes me very angry.

Every piece of furniture got a double helping of angry frustration.

Head up, held high, that photo bares little meaning, the manager guided his team to the last sixteen.

The furniture will now get a third helping of anguish.

.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I think Mr. Moriyasu did a fantastic job. The players he selected for this squad was a good mixture. The lineups and replacements he put out were good as well. His halftime adjustments worked well. A good manager is not all about tactics, but needs to be one that can get the most out of his players, and he did just that, considering how many first-time World Cup players he had on this team. Overall, this team was young, and the older ones that were on it, played minimal roles. Players like Kamada, Maeda, Mitoma, Asano, Doan, and Ito will be back, among others. All they need to do is practice more on penalty kicks, over and over again.

They should hold their heads high for how well they performed.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The fact that they knocked Germany out of the World Cup was enough for me to say they did their job! The Japanese national team has really come a long way since the first World Cup I ever watched back in 1982 in Spain, where they were a non-entity.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu is a winner.

Winners don't bow, only in gratitude to the J fans.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

He did a good job and so did his players. Croatia were on top form last night, but Japan held them to a draw.

OK there was a series of missed passes and “Oh no!” moments, and the penalty shootout was pathetic to put it politely, but Japan still did brilliantly. I think Croatia came up with some unexpected pre-emoting moves that knocked everything in Moriyasu and the team’s heads awry.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I think a large part of the success is due to very low morale among European teams. Germany faced a massive boycott due to Qatar human rights abuses for example.

So what was Germany's excuse in 2018 besides being sore losers?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Congratulations, great job !!..

GO JAPAN !!..

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Hats off to Moriyasu and the entire Samurai-Blue squad. To beat two outstanding teams in Germany and Spain - and draw with Croatia after regular time - is unprecedented in Asian football. The entire world's jaws dropped at these achievements. Japan became the world's second team!

Moriyasu's tactical nous throughout, bringing on players at just the right time to make a game changing impact, was unforgettable.

"Four more years, four more years, four more years.....!"

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Edit. “Pre-empting moves”

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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