Aren't you too proud to win Korea? Even players with high confidence can't make it to the World Cup qualifying round
Jul 20, 2025
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Japan's Soccer Digest Web said on the 19th, `Why did not players of this level compete in the World Cup qualifying round. South Korea must have been surprised,' the report said.
The Japanese national team, led by head coach Hajime Moriyasu, won 0-1 against South Korea in the final match of the 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup) at Yongin Mir Stadium in Gyeonggi Province on the 15th. Japan won all three games following a 6-1 victory over Hong Kong and a 2-0 victory over China in the first round. The game was also fierce as they were rivals of fate. The Japanese took the lead in the eighth minute of the first half with Germain Ryo's first goal, but South Korea kept knocking on the Japanese goal to chase. However, the goal was not scored, and Japan's victory ended the game.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu said, "Win or lose, there are achievements and tasks, including fostering. Even if we win or lose, there is always room for improvement. This means that there is room for improvement not only in Korea but also in Japan. Therefore, it is not just a simple criticism, but I hope that the media will also support the two countries to improve."
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With propaganda, Japan's confidence is soaring. Soccer Digest Webb said, `Why did not Korean players participate in the World Cup qualifying round. Several players showed high-quality plays, showing Japan's ridiculously thick base of players.
It is true that Japan's players are solid even if they exclude the first team of the national team. However, it is difficult to say that the players are the best players who will compete on the world stage and play in the World Cup qualifiers. Jermain Ryo, the top scorer at the East Asian Cup, is also a striker with only four goals in 26 games in Hiroshima this season, and other players are disappointed compared to Japan's overseas players, so it was not a great decision for Japan not to form a national team with those players. Korea is also composed of K-League players, so it is difficult to say that it is a huge gap.
Meanwhile, Moriyasu also showed strong confidence in his upcoming 2026 World Cup performance in North Korea and the U.S. Moriyasu said in an interview, `I haven't been on the stage in earnest yet, and there are differences with the world's top teams, but I think it's a feasible goal if the Japanese national team fights with the ability, growth, and organizational power to save individuals. I will prepare for the World Cup with the goal of becoming the best in the world," he said, expressing his ambition.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
