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Japan football coach Hajime Moriyasu said his team’s World Cup run is important not just for Japan but also for other Asian countries closely following its progress in the United States.
Moriyasu made these comments after Japan secured a spot in the last 32 with a 1-1 draw against Sweden in Texas. Earlier, it beat Tunisia 4-0, a win that sparked celebrations even in China, despite the two countries’ complex political history. Videos from Shanghai showed Chinese fans cheering for Japan, putting aside old tensions.
Speaking to AFP, Moriyasu said his team is proud to represent both Japan and all of Asia on the world stage. He hopes Japan can encourage other Asian teams, regardless of the results of each match.
Japan is not the only Asian Football Confederation (AFC) team still in the tournament. South Korea also has a chance to advance as one of the best third-placed teams. Iran and Australia are still in the running as well.
China did not qualify for this tournament; their only World Cup appearance was in 2002. Still, Chinese fans’ excitement for Japan’s victories shows a strong regional interest in seeing Asian teams succeed at the top level of international football.
Japan will play Brazil in the round of 32, which is a big challenge against one of the top teams in the tournament. Moriyasu believes that tough matches like these, both among Asian teams and against the world’s best, can help improve football across Asia.
The coach described the team’s World Cup journey as a chance not just to move forward in the tournament, but also to show that Asian football can compete at the highest level and inspire future generations in the region.
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