The coach of Japan's World Cup soccer squad says beating Spain, one of the world's top teams, is a major confidence-booster. The team now advances to the round of 16.

Moriyasu Hajime told a post-match news conference in Doha, Qatar, that he is pleased with the 2-1 upset victory over the Spanish team. Japan conceded a goal in the first half, but scored two in the latter half.

When asked about his half time pep talk, Moriyasu said he commended the squad for playing with patience as instructed for the first 45 minutes.

The coach said he then told them to aim for a goal in the second half while keeping Spain from scoring again. He said he urged them to tenaciously seek chances for a counteroffensive and to pull off a clean finish.

Patience during the first half paid off, Moriyasu said, as the squad was able to counterattack and boost ball possession in the second half.

He was asked if the "Tragedy of Doha" had ever crossed his mind during the game. The term refers to Japan's stoppage time concession of a score-tying goal to Iraq in the regional qualifiers in Doha in 1993, dashing hopes for a spot in the World Cup Finals the following year.

Moriyasu was then a member of the squad. He said the memory came back in the final minute or so, but he sensed the change when he saw the team aggressively going for the ball. The coach said Samurai Blue showed they belonged to a new era by their performance on the pitch.