Moriyasu targets title at Asian Cup after Japan extend coach's tenure

[p]Moriyasu, who has led [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/japan/ULXPdOUj/"]‌Japan[/a] since 2018, will remain in charge until the ‌continental championship concludes in February, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/oiwa-go/GlZOPTEo/"]Oiwa[/a] set to take over ‌as head coach as Japan begin preparations for the ‌2030 World Cup.[/p][p]The 57-year-old said his focus was firmly on delivering Asia's biggest prize before stepping aside.[/p][p][b]"Whether it is four years, two years, ‌one year or six months, my mindset ⁠remains the same towards the ‌goal... that Japan will win the World Cup by 2050," Moriyasu ​told reporters on Friday.[/b][/p][p][b]"I want to bring together the past, the present and the future, while making ​the best choices for the team today.[/b][/p][p][b]"It's a difficult balance, but I intend to select players and build a squad (for ⁠the AFC Asian Cup) ​with a focus on winning the tournament, based on the belief that doing so will help Japanese football continue to grow."[/b][/p][embed guid="d11067df-2d7f-414f-8b3b-690495870a60" url="https://x.com/jfa_samuraiblue/status/2080238590706258212" social-type="twitter" /][p]Moriyasu guided Japan to the last 32 at the World Cup ‌before a stoppage-time 2-1 defeat by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brazil/I9l9aqLq/"]Brazil[/a] ended their campaign last month.[/p][p]He also led Japan to the Asian Cup final in 2019, where they lost to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/qatar/zqzHL77i/"]Qatar[/a]. At the 2023 edition, the four-time champions were knocked out in the quarter-finals by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/iran/xrRx85iA/"]Iran[/a].[/p][p]Japan begin their Group F campaign against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/indonesia/88ErHiT9/"]Indonesia[/a] on January 11th, and Moriyasu said he will be working closely with Oiwa as he aims to build the senior ‌side with an objective of lifting the trophy.[/p][p][b]"We have already ​brought players from the U-21 team led by coach (Go) ‌Oiwa into the senior national team, before returning them to his side," Moriyasu said.[/b][/p][p][b]"We will continue to communicate closely, but ultimately the decisions (during the AFC Asian Cup) will be mine, and I'll take full responsibility for managing ⁠the team during my time ⁠in charge."[/b][/p]