Japanese football was extremely fortunate to have MORIYASU Hajime as its national team coach.

In the eight years since taking charge in 2018, Coach Moriyasu has always put the growth and success of the Japan National Team above all else. At the same time, he has used every opportunity to show us what “respect” means and why it matters to those involved in football.

When it was decided last December that Japan would face the Netherlands in their opening group-stage match at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, one thought must surely have come to Coach Moriyasu’s mind: gratitude to the Netherlands.

In the late 1980s, when Moriyasu was still in his teens, it was Dutch coach Hans OOFT who brought out his potential as a player. Ooft had come to Japan to join Mazda Soccer Club (now Sanfrecce Hiroshima) in the Japan Soccer League. He gave Moriyasu the role of a defensive midfielder, a position that was not yet clearly defined in Japanese football at the time and made him a central figure in the team.

Then, when Ooft became head coach of the Japan National Team in 1992, he selected Moriyasu, who at the time was virtually unknown outside the Mazda fanbase.

“Mori Hoichi?”

It was the time when even some football journalists couldn’t read his name right. But under Coach Ooft, who placed great emphasis on basic tactics, Moriyasu came to be recognised as an indispensable member of the rapidly improving Japan National Team.

In 1995, another Dutchman, Wim JANSEN, became Moriyasu’s “boss” at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, where Moriyasu was playing as a midfielder. During his playing career, Jansen was renowned as a defensive midfielder for the Netherlands and played a key supporting role as the team reached consecutive World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978. He was one of the “legends” of Dutch football.

Of course, this was not the first time Japan and the Netherlands had faced each other. They had also met at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when Japan lost 0-1. But it was their first meeting since Moriyasu became head coach. When he heard that Japan would face the Netherlands in their opening match, it is not difficult to imagine that he thought back to those two men, their personalities and the way they coached.

In the match in Dallas on 14 June, Japan battled tenaciously and earned a 2-2 draw against one of the tournament favourites. At Coach Moriyasu’s post-match press conference, questions came one after another about everything from his team selection and game plan to the thinking behind his substitutions. Moriyasu answered every question thoughtfully, as he always does. Then, when the FIFA media officer chairing the press conference said, “That concludes Coach Moriyasu’s press conference,” Moriyasu said, “There is just one thing I would like to say,” and began to speak.

“There may be some Dutch journalists here, so I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my gratitude to the people of the Netherlands.

“I became a Japan international when there was still no professional league in Japan. A Dutch coach named Hans Ooft helped me develop as a player. And it wasn’t just me. Ooft had a huge, huge influence on Japanese coaches, and that has helped Japanese football develop into what it is today.

“There was also Wim Jansen, a Dutch football legend, who coached in the J.League, including at Hiroshima, and, I believe, made a major contribution to Japanese football. Sadly, Jansen passed away four years ago. Last year, I visited Feyenoord, the club where he spent most of his playing career. I asked his family where he was buried and was able to visit his grave to pay my respects.

“And it wasn’t only those two. Many coaches from Netherlands have contributed to raising the level of Japanese football. I would like to express my gratitude to all of them. Thank you very much.”

The Japanese, Dutch and local American journalists had been about to get up, but they sat down again and listened intently. When Moriyasu had finished speaking, they gave him a big round of applause.

Written by OSUMI Yoshiyuki (Football Journalist)

*This article was originally posted on the Japan Football Association Newsletter, “JFAnews,” July 2026 edition.

Japan Football Association Newsletter “JFAnews”

The Japan Football Association Newsletter “JFAnews” contains all the information on the Japan National Team, events hosted by JFA, tournament results, and team information throughout the nation. The official monthly magazine is a must read for coaches, referees, and all members of the football family.

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