"Please praise Hong Myung-bo, he fought for Korea": The Japanese coach's reasoned request... "Just because we failed to meet our goals and didn't get results doesn't mean everything is wrong"

*This content was translated by AI.

Hajime Moriyasu, head coach of the Japan national football team, defended former South Korea national football team coach Hong Myung-bo. It was a reasoned request.

On the 2nd, Japanese daily Sports Nippon reported that "Coach Moriyasu defended Coach Hong, saying it is not 'the worst in history' and asked for positive media coverage."

After completing the schedule of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Coach Moriyasu held a press conference in Tokyo on this day. Japan was eliminated in the Round of 32. Placed in Group F alongside Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia, Japan recorded one win and two draws, finishing second in the group to advance to the knockout stage. However, they faced 'eternal favorites' Brazil in the Round of 32 and lost 1-2.

Although the result was disappointing, there were many positive aspects. Japan did not lose a single match in Group F, which had been expected to be difficult, and there was also bad luck facing Brazil in the Round of 32. Key players such as Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), and Wataru Endo (Liverpool) were sidelined one after another due to injuries. Nevertheless, Japan's performance against Brazil was not poor. Japan collapsed after conceding a heartbreaking last-minute winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the second half.

As a result, Coach Moriyasu and the Japan national team are reported to have returned home to warm welcome from many Japanese football fans. Coach Moriyasu said, "I can only express my gratitude," adding, "During the North American World Cup, many football fans and the Japanese people supported the national team and fought alongside us. Without a doubt, when singing the national anthem, we were at our best." He expressed his thanks for their support.

At this press conference, Coach Moriyasu received an unexpected question. A Korean media outlet asked, "There are voices calling for us to learn from Japan's development system. How do you view South Korea's current situation?" In response, Coach Moriyasu carefully replied, "I know very little about the situation in South Korea, so I cannot speak lightly on this matter."

Coach Moriyasu also mentioned former Coach Hong. He said, "I have met with former Coach Hong privately and exchanged conversations. As rivals and friends, we maintain contact," adding, "I cannot agree that the results of this tournament were the worst in history. Former Coach Hong has done his utmost for South Korea."

He continued, "Although they did not advance from the group stage in this tournament, they secured one win. In the third match, given the difficult circumstances, the desired result may not have been achieved, but they made every effort to get results." He defended them further.

The South Korea national football team led by former Coach Hong received a poor performance record at this North American World Cup. South Korea was placed in Group A alongside Mexico, Czech Republic, and South Africa. They were evaluated as having a high chance of advancing to the knockout stage because they were drawn with opponents that seemed beatable. However, South Korea managed only one win and two losses, failing to advance from the group stage.

As a result, former Coach Hong received heavy criticism from South Korean football fans. After it was confirmed that South Korea had been eliminated in the group stage, former Coach Hong announced his resignation, taking responsibility for the poor performance. Nevertheless, public criticism has not subsided easily.

Coach Moriyasu defended former Coach Hong with the message that all processes should not be negated based solely on results. He said, "If we are asked whether we achieved our goals, the answer is no. In the professional world, there are aspects where performance is evaluated by results, but it is not true that everything is judged only by outcomes. We cannot say that everything done so far was completely wrong." He added, "I do not know how critical the South Korean public is, but I hope they also consider that former Coach Hong, along with staff and players, worked hard for the country and offer praise as well."

On questions comparing the development systems of South Korean and Japanese football, he maintained a cautious stance. Coach Moriyasu explained, "I do not know in detail what kind of development is taking place in South Korea. I do not know what the correct answer is. However, Japan has its own appropriate development system, and each coach is approaching it with passion."

It is clear that Japan also failed to achieve its desired results despite good performances. There are also critical views directed at Coach Moriyasu. Earlier, another Japanese media outlet, Football Channel, pointed out, "It is true that Japanese football has definitely become stronger under the Moriyasu system. However, the harsh reality is that they have not achieved results worthy of being called 'the strongest in history' in official tournaments."

Football Channel further stated, "Japan also failed to win the Asian Cup trophy for two consecutive tournaments. Although they successfully advanced from the group stage in the World Cup for two consecutive times, they failed to overcome the barrier of the first knockout round. They are far from achieving their goal of winning the World Cup. If goals are not met, it is only natural that the head coach would be replaced."

Including this tournament, Japan has advanced from the group stage five times in the World Cup but has never won a single match in the knockout stages. They reached the Round of 16 in the 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022 tournaments but failed to pass the first hurdle in all cases. Even in the North American World Cup held with a 48-team format, Japan collapsed in the Round of 32. They also missed out on titles in other major tournaments such as the Asian Cup.

This is also why Coach Moriyasu's leadership is criticized regardless of match performance. Football Channel emphasized, "The current Japan national team fought well even against strong teams. We have already moved beyond the stage where we can console ourselves with 'we lost but fought well' and be satisfied."

Coach Moriyasu is certainly no stranger to the harsh reality of the professional world where performance is evaluated by results rather than process. Therefore, he conveyed a message that everything should not be negated based solely on results and offered encouragement to former Coach Hong.

Until the very end, Coach Moriyasu asked the Korean media team, "Please also publish reports praising former Coach Hong."

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*This content was translated by AI.