TOKYO: Hajime Moriyasu is expected to stay on as coach of Japan following the team’s elimination from the World Cup in the first round of the knockout stage, although only on a short-term basis, it was learned Thursday.
The Japan Football Association informally approached Moriyasu about remaining in the post following the Samurai Blue’s 2-1 loss to powerhouse Brazil at the tournament in North America, and he accepted, a source said.
The 57-year-old Moriyasu and the association are expected to conclude a short-term contract of about six months, with the agreement to be formally approved by the association’s technical committee and board of directors.
While it is rare for the association to offer just a six-month contract, the source said it coincides with the AFC Asian Cup, to be held in Saudi Arabia from January to February next year. The plan is to appoint a new coach starting in March.
Moriyasu, a star midfielder during his playing days, mostly at Sanfrecce Hiroshima and a national team member, was appointed as national team coach in 2018 and guided the team through Asian qualifying and into the World Cup finals for two consecutive tournaments. At the previous tournament in Qatar in 2022, the team gained notice by defeating powerhouses Germany and Spain in the group stage.
In this tournament as well, the Samurai Blue went undefeated in its group, which included a draw with the Netherlands. A second-place finish set up a clash with Brazil in the round of 32, and Japan held its own, losing on a last-gasp goal in second-half stoppage time. - The Japan News/ANN
