Japan proved World Cup potential despite Brazil loss, says coach Moriyasu

Hajime Moriyasu, Japan's coach, expressed confidence in his team's World Cup aspirations despite their elimination by Brazil. The Samurai Blue lost 1-2 to Brazil in the round of 32, conceding a late goal after leading in the first half. Gabriel Martinelli scored the decisive goal in added time.

Moriyasu acknowledged the disappointment, with some Japanese players seen in tears after the match. However, he emphasized that the team's performance against the five-time world champions proved their capability to compete at the highest level. "The strength of the national team has certainly increased," Moriyasu said. "In friendly matches, we have managed to defeat opponents we previously never beat."

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The strength of the national team has certainly increased, and in friendly matches, we have managed to defeat opponents we previously never beat.

He believes the players' efforts have significantly improved the national team and altered Japan's standing in world football. Moriyasu recalled leading Japan to friendly victories against Brazil and England before the World Cup. He reiterated his ambition to win the World Cup, noting that as underdogs, they still had a chance to cause an upset.

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We know that as underdogs, we still have a chance to become champions. I think we showed a performance that made people say, 'If they win, who knows what might happen?'

"We know that as underdogs, we still have a chance to become champions," he stated. "I think we showed a performance that made people say, 'If they win, who knows what might happen?'" Moriyasu added that such performances would lead to recognition of their improving game and attract attention from those who don't typically follow football closely.

Moriyasu took responsibility for the team's failure to meet their goal of winning the World Cup, admitting regret. "This time we failed to achieve the goal of becoming world champions, and as a coach, I truly feel regret," he said. "I felt we had a chance. In this match, we played with the confidence that we could win, and in fact, we did get several chances that we failed to convert."

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This time we failed to achieve the goal of becoming world champions, and as a coach, I truly feel regret.