TOKYO (AP) – The Japan Football Association announced in a statement Thursday that Japan national team coach Hajime Moriyasu will continue to play until next year’s Asian Cup before stepping down.
The Japan Football Association held a meeting regarding the coaching position on Thursday, and announced that Tsuyoshi Oiwa, who previously coached the Japan U-23 national team, would take over the top team after the Asian Cup.
Oiwa was scheduled to be introduced at a press conference on Friday.
Coach Moriyasu led his team to the top 32 at the World Cup. lose 2-1 Five-time champion Brazil.
The Asia Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia from January 7th to February. 5. 24 teams have already qualified and Japan is one of the favorites to win.
Japan will face Indonesia, Qatar and Thailand in Group F.
Coach Moriyasu took over as coach after the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He will lead Japan to the final tournament at the 2022 Qatar tournament. lost to croatia Regarding penalties.
Oiwa had a modest career as a defender, playing for Japan three times before turning to coaching in Japan’s domestic league. Since 2021, he has been coaching the U-23 team.
Former Japanese star Keisuke Honda recently said he is interested in becoming the national team manager. Honda has played in 98 games for the Japanese national team, primarily as a midfielder, and has participated in three World Cups, the last of which was in 2018.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and AP World Cup coverage
