"Japan will continue to be the best."
This is the resolution of Japan national football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu, who has secured a spot in the finals of the FIFA World Cup for the 8th consecutive time. Coach Moriyasu announced his feelings about being the first in the world to secure a place in the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup and shared his philosophy during a one-hour lecture in Tokyo on the 3rd.
Japan, led by Coach Moriyasu, secured their place in the finals by defeating Bahrain 2-0 at home in the 7th match of Group C of the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the North America World Cup at Saitama Stadium in Japan on the 20th of last month. Japan has secured their place with ease, even with three matches remaining in the qualifiers. The current national team squad is regarded as the strongest ever.
According to Japan's "Sponichi Annex," Coach Moriyasu emphasized regarding the evaluation of the Japan national team as "the strongest ever" that "the current Japan national team is the best, and I also believe it is the best," while adding, "But Japan will continue to be the best." He continued, "The seniors have built the history, and the strongest teams are born every time. That history has been passed on like a baton," adding, "I believe that carrying on this baton is indeed the strength of the Japanese people."
Coach Moriyasu also expressed, "I am doing something very happy right now in leading the Japan national team. Even if it's just to carry the bag, I want to remain a part of the Japan national team and said, "Standing on a stage where I can fight representing Japan is both my pride and joy."
According to Japan's "Daily News," when asked, "What do you think is currently lacking in the Japan national team?" Coach Moriyasu stated, "Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Going back to the past, there are players like Diego Maradona and Pelé. If such incredibly skilled players gather, even 11 of them, and furthermore, if more players emerge to form one or two teams, the team cohesion will also strengthen. Therefore, I hope the players will maximize their individual abilities."
He further asserted that the Japan national team needs a "superstar" level presence. "If we think of baseball, it would be Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)," said Coach Moriyasu, noting that "he is a distinctive player even in Major League Baseball (MLB)." He added, "If a player with such strong skills performs in the Japan national team, Japanese football will become even stronger. The current national team players have reached a very high level, and that result is reflected in their performance. However, we share the message that we hope to attain abilities that are completely on another level."
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