Japan national football team manager Hajime Moriyasu on Thursday expressed gratitude to people in the country for their support during the World Cup in Qatar, when he met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
During his meeting with the team at the prime minister's office, Kishida praised the Samurai Blue, who defeated former champions Germany and Spain in the group stage, saying their achievements "stunned the world and gave courage to many fans."
Japan men's national football team manager Hajime Moriyasu (front row, 2nd from L), captain Maya Yoshida (front row, 3rd from L), Yuto Nagatomo (front row, 3rd from R) and other members of the World Cup squad (back row) pose for photos with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (C) at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 8, 2022. (Kyodo)
Japan's national team returned home on Wednesday, after advancing to the round of 16 and exiting in the knockout stage on penalties to 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia.
The Samurai Blue players at the meeting with Kishida included captain Maya Yoshida, veteran defender Yuto Nagatomo and attacker Ritsu Doan, who scored against Germany and Spain.
Kishida, a lawmaker representing a constituency in Hiroshima, has personal ties with Moriyasu, a former midfielder who used to manage J-League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Moriyasu told reporters after the meeting that he was "pleased" that the abilities of the Japanese players had been recognized by the world.
Asked whether he would remain in his post, Moriyasu said, "I want to continue serving as manager a little longer."
Defying the odds, Japan topped a tough Group E and advanced to the round of 16 at consecutive World Cups for the first time, following the previous World Cup in Russia.
But the Samurai Blue were unable to achieve the cherished goal of reaching the quarterfinals as their 1-1 draw with Croatia was followed by a penalty shootout loss.
Related coverage:
Football: Japan's World Cup stars return home to heroes' welcome
Japan's World Cup performance to bring $120 mil. in economic effects
Football: Japan's World Cup ends in loss to Croatia on penalties
During his meeting with the team at the prime minister's office, Kishida praised the Samurai Blue, who defeated former champions Germany and Spain in the group stage, saying their achievements "stunned the world and gave courage to many fans."
Japan men's national football team manager Hajime Moriyasu (front row, 2nd from L), captain Maya Yoshida (front row, 3rd from L), Yuto Nagatomo (front row, 3rd from R) and other members of the World Cup squad (back row) pose for photos with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (C) at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 8, 2022. (Kyodo)
Japan's national team returned home on Wednesday, after advancing to the round of 16 and exiting in the knockout stage on penalties to 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia.
The Samurai Blue players at the meeting with Kishida included captain Maya Yoshida, veteran defender Yuto Nagatomo and attacker Ritsu Doan, who scored against Germany and Spain.
Kishida, a lawmaker representing a constituency in Hiroshima, has personal ties with Moriyasu, a former midfielder who used to manage J-League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Moriyasu told reporters after the meeting that he was "pleased" that the abilities of the Japanese players had been recognized by the world.
Asked whether he would remain in his post, Moriyasu said, "I want to continue serving as manager a little longer."
Defying the odds, Japan topped a tough Group E and advanced to the round of 16 at consecutive World Cups for the first time, following the previous World Cup in Russia.
But the Samurai Blue were unable to achieve the cherished goal of reaching the quarterfinals as their 1-1 draw with Croatia was followed by a penalty shootout loss.
Related coverage:
Football: Japan's World Cup stars return home to heroes' welcome
Japan's World Cup performance to bring $120 mil. in economic effects
Football: Japan's World Cup ends in loss to Croatia on penalties
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Summary
Japan football team manager Hajime Moriyasu, captain Maya Yoshida, and other players met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Dec. 8th in Tokyo. The team, known as the Samurai Blue, received praise for their performance at the World Cup in Qatar, where they defeated Germany and Spain in the group
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ID: 03ddef7b-7d87-4644-bbad-0129d65d47a4
Category ID: kyodo
Created: 2022/12/08 19:02
Updated: 2025/12/09 10:38
Last Read: 2022/12/08 19:02