Japan Coach Moriyasu Confident Ahead of Brazil World Cup Match
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Japan Coach Moriyasu Confident Ahead of Brazil World Cup Match
- Japan's national football team coach, Hajime Moriyasu, expressed confidence in his team's ability to defeat five-time world champions Brazil in their upcoming World Cup Round of 32 match on Monday.
- Moriyasu cited the historical influence of Brazilian legends Zico and Falcão on Japanese football development as a source of inspiration and belief.
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Hajime Moriyasu, the 57-year-old coach of the Japanese national football team, has voiced his team’s readiness and ambition to overcome Brazil in the World Cup Round of 32. The match is scheduled for Monday in Houston. Moriyasu emphasized that reaching the knockout stage is merely a repeat of past World Cup performances in 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022, and that the true challenge of the tournament begins now against stronger opponents. Japan advanced as runners-up in Group F, finishing behind the Netherlands.
Moriyasu specifically highlighted the significant contributions of Brazilian football icons Zico and Falcão to the growth of Japanese football. Zico’s tenure as a player, coach (2002-2006), and club executive in Japan, along with Falcão’s time as national team coach (1994-1995), have left a lasting impact. Moriyasu noted that his players are eager for the confrontation, viewing it as an opportunity to defeat a five-time World Cup-winning powerhouse. Japan previously secured a 3-2 friendly victory against Brazil in Tokyo last October, a result Moriyasu believes demonstrates his team’s capability to compete at the highest level.
Looking ahead to a potential penalty shootout, Moriyasu stated on Sunday, June 28, 2026, that he would personally decide the order of penalty takers, a departure from the player-led approach in the 2022 World Cup when Japan was eliminated in the last 16 after missing three spot kicks against Croatia. Japan will be without winger Takefusa Kubo, who sustained a knee injury during the group stage.