I deeply respect Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu, not only as a manager, but as a person.
And after yesterday’s match, there was a moment in the press conference that showed exactly why.
Japan faced the Netherlands, ranked 8th in the world, in their opening group stage match.
Japan came from behind twice and earned a 2-2 draw. Both teams took one point.
But after the match, the most memorable moment was not only the result.
At the very end of the press conference, Coach Moriyasu asked:
“May I say something?”
Then he turned his words toward the Dutch journalists in the room.
He said he wanted to express his gratitude to the people of the Netherlands.
Moriyasu explained that when he first became a Japan national team player, Japan did not yet have a fully professional football league.
During that era, he was coached and developed by Hans Ooft, a Dutch coach who had a huge influence on Japanese football.
And Moriyasu said it was not only him.
Many Japanese coaches were influenced by Dutch football, and that helped lead to the development of Japanese football today.
He also mentioned Wim Jansen, a Dutch legend.
Jansen coached Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J.League and also worked with Urawa Reds, contributing greatly to Japanese football.
Moriyasu said it was not only those two men.
Many Dutch coaches and players helped raise the level of Japanese football in Japan.
And then he ended with these words:
“Thank you very much.”
The room applauded.
On the pitch, Japan fought the Netherlands with everything they had.
But after the final whistle, Moriyasu still remembered the people who helped Japanese football grow.
Not just with a casual “good game.”
He spoke about the history, the influence, and the gratitude Japan owes to Dutch football.
Every time I see this side of Coach Moriyasu, I feel that the strength of Japan’s national team is not only tactics or technique.
It is respect.
It is gratitude.
And it is the heart to never forget those who helped you grow.
That is why I respect Hajime Moriyasu so much as a person.