[News Figures] Coach Moriyasu Hajime Showcased Japanese Style Soccer

Germany's 2-to-1 Comeback Victory Shocks, Japan Enthralled
Leading National Team Since 2018... Focused Use of Second-Half Substitutions
Reduced Overseas Players, Bet on Generational Change... Directly Selected Takuma Asano Who Scored the Comeback Goal

Japan's coach Hajime Moriyasu. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "You never know the result of football unless you play the match. Considering the world football so far, today's victory might be called a 'surprise,' but the level of Japanese football is getting closer to the world." - Moriyasu Hajime, Japan national team coach

At the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Asian countries are consecutively defeating football powerhouses. It is literally a series of upsets. On the 23rd (Korean time), Japan achieved a 2-1 comeback victory against Germany in the Group E first match of the World Cup held at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

The feelings of South Korean football fans watching this are complicated. On the 22nd, Saudi Arabia wrote an unscripted drama by coming from behind to beat Argentina, led by the 'God of Football' Messi, 2-1. Japan defeated the 'Panzer Army' Germany. Now, the eyes of football fans worldwide are focused on South Korea. Minamino, who came on as a substitute in the second half of the previous day's match and contributed to the great comeback victory, said in a post-match interview, "Korea also has the ability to do something special," and "I want to see them win," which is not unrelated to this situation.

Japan was dominated by Germany throughout the first half and played a game being pushed around. Germany attempted 12 shots in the first 45 minutes, while Japan managed only one attempt. Eventually, in the 32nd minute of the first half, Ilkay G?ndo?an (Manchester City) scored the opening goal from a penalty kick. It seemed that Germany would easily secure the victory, and this forecast was becoming a reality.

On the afternoon of the 23rd (local time), at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, during the Group E match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup between Germany and Japan, Germany's Ilkay G?ndo?an and Japan's Tanaka Ao are contesting an aerial ball. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

However, the counterattack began. Coach Hajime used all three substitution cards within 10 minutes of the second half. Then, at the 28th minute of the second half, he brought in two more substitutes, using all his substitution cards.

First, the substitutes Mitoma Kaoru (Brighton), Minamino Takumi (AS Monaco), and Doan Ritsu (SC Freiburg) combined to score the equalizer at the 29th minute of the second half. Then, at the 37th minute of the second half, another substitute Asano Takuma (VfL Bochum) connected a long pass from the back directly into a shot, turning the game around. Ultimately, Hajime's strategy became a 'masterstroke.' Retrospectively, there is considerable discussion about whether any national team other than Germany could have stopped this tactical move.

Before the match, Coach Hajime said at a press conference, "Germany is the World Cup champion, and since winning the World Cup is our goal, Germany is our role model," but also expressed strong confidence by saying, "We must do our best against Germany as we do against any other team, and my goal is to overcome the round of 16 barrier and advance to the quarterfinals."

Created Japanese Style Football

Hajime, 54 years old this year, has been the head coach of the Japan national football team since 2018. During his playing career, he was a star player for Sanfrecce Hiroshima. His position was defensive midfielder, located at the deepest midfield position, responsible for defensive roles throughout the match. This position likely involves the best technicians on any team and requires genius-level positional awareness. Until retirement, he played 434 official matches, scoring 48 goals, contributing to runner-up finishes in the Japanese Soccer League Division 2, the 1994 J.League, and four Emperor's Cup runner-ups (1987, 1995, 1997, 1999).

Eight years after retirement, he began his coaching career as the manager of his former team Sanfrecce Hiroshima. He successfully completed his first season by winning the J.League title. Before resigning, he won three championships and led the team to third place in the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup. Continuing his successful coaching career, he faced fierce criticism from the Japanese public after losing to Spain and finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympics, where a gold medal was expected.

However, Kozo Tashima, president of the Japan Football Association, publicly expressed his trust and support for Coach Hajime. Earlier, in July 2018, President Tashima explained the reason for appointing Hajime as the Olympic team coach, saying, "He must know Japanese football well," and "It is necessary to bring out Japan's strengths and show Japanese uniqueness," clarifying the reason for Hajime's appointment.

The so-called 'Japanese style' football can be summarized as a 'fast-passing game.' It refers to play where multiple players cooperate to develop attacks rather than relying on the goal power of a single star player. For this, teamwork that functions like gears is vital. For example, overseas-based players might find it difficult to synchronize with this organic rhythm. This is also why Coach Hajime tries to reduce the use of overseas players. The continuous substitutions shown in the Germany match can be seen as not just individual player changes but as substitutes moving as one body to press and subtly adjust the flow of the game.

On the afternoon of the 23rd (local time), Takuma Asano of the Japanese national team celebrated after their 2-1 victory over Germany in the Group E match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup held at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Faith soon bore fruit. While concurrently serving as the coach of Japan's U-23 team, he led Japan to a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games, the first Asian Games medal in 16 years and the first since the gold medal in 2010. This also proves that the victory against Germany at the Qatar World Cup was not a coincidence but a demonstration of skill.

Three years later, at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Japan, he led Japan to the semifinals for the first time in nine years since the 2012 tournament. He also secured Japan's seventh consecutive World Cup finals appearance. Just as Brazil is synonymous with 'Samba football,' now Japanese football cannot be explained without mentioning Coach Hajime.

Before this Qatar World Cup, Coach Hajime introduced a generational change card. He selected players for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup primarily based on those he tested in evaluation matches after his appointment. This decision was based on the judgment that they could no longer rely on overseas players. In an interview with the media, he stated, "I considered the condition and the generational change to younger players."

In fact, he did not select Kamada Daichi, who scored his 10th goal of the season in the Belgian league. Instead, he picked Asano Takuma, explaining that he personally watched his play in Germany and made the decision.

Asano Takuma is the player who was substituted in at the 37th minute of the second half against Germany the previous day and scored the winning goal with a powerful right-footed shot. This can be seen as a result of Coach Hajime's generational change rather than a simple substitution.

Following the successful generational change, Coach Hajime is known to have prepared various strategies. "I entered the match with several plans. I was also prepared for things going wrong. I thought it could be a one-goal difference game. I calmly changed the game management in the second half to create a situation where we could take a chance," he said.

Japan's major morning newspapers featured the national team's victory over Germany as the top headline on their front pages. Photo by Yonhap News

Considering Coach Hajime's playing career, some believe that the midfielder position, responsible for both offense and defense, played a significant role. Ultimately, the midfielder who controlled the center and managed the entire game showcased the Japanese style of football on the World Cup stage. As with his victory remarks against Germany, this might indicate that the level of Japanese football is approaching the world standard.

Philippe Troussier, former Japan national team coach, praised, "It's amazing. A historic upset." Major Japanese morning newspapers covered the national team's victory over Germany as the top headline. Asahi described it as a "historic victory," while Mainichi reported it as "Joy in Doha."

Foreign media also highly evaluated Japanese football. The British BBC said, "Japan defeated Germany with only 26% possession," and "The numbers make the result hard to understand, but Japan played better in the second half." Chris Sutton, a former England international and BBC commentator, analyzed, "Japan started fighting properly from the second half," and "Germany was greatly shaken after losing the lead." He congratulated Japan, saying, "Japan made Group E interesting."