Japan’s latest World Cup defeat to Brazil in a match in which the five-time champions were long suppressed showed the national team is closing the gap with traditional football powerhouses, head coach Hajime Moriyasu said on Monday. Brazil survived the World Cup last-32 scare as they fought back to beat Japan 2-1 after Gabriel Martinelli fired deep into the far post in stoppage time.
The result dashed the hopes of a team touted as dark horses that could make a long run in the tournament by beating traditional heavyweights such as Brazil.
READ | Martinelli’s winner ends Japan’s run as Brazil continues its hunt for a sixth title
“The gap between us is now narrowing,” Moriyasu told reporters. “Of course Brazil is a top team and we are certainly approaching that level.
“As a result, we were devastated. Of course there is such a difference in our level and we have to improve our game. To be able to compete at the top is a goal that we all have.”
Japan faced Brazil for at least the opening period as defenders flew around the pitch, splitting up passes and closing space as they suffered a 1-0 shock at half-time.
NO FIRST WORLD CUP KNOCOUT VICTORY FOR JAPAN
The result denied Japan a first knockout win at the World Cup, but Moriyasu said the fact that a number of players stepped in to replace injured teammates provided a wider range of experience and boded well for the future.
“This is one of the strengths of the Japanese team,” Moriyasu said. “If more players gain such experience, it will contribute to the growth of football in Japan.”
Improving in several areas, including attacking transition and dealing with teams like Brazil who can keep possession for long periods of time, are things Japan needs to work on, Moriyasu said.
He also praised his team for their efforts against Brazil, saying his players showed how dangerous they can be on the counter against top teams.
“What I told the players is to play as if we went back to 0-0,” Moriyasu said. “Defending will lead to attacking and that is something I conveyed to the players.”
Published on June 30, 2026
