Hajime Moriyasu Proud of Japan's Progress Despite Brazil Heartbreak

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu believes his players proved they can compete with the world's best after their dramatic World Cup exit to Brazil but admitted his side must continue improving if they are to turn performances into victories on football's biggest stage.

Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time winner denied Japan extra time in Houston after Kaishu Sano's stunning opener had been cancelled out by Casemiro, ending the Samurai Blue's campaign in the Round of 32.

Reflecting on the defeat, Moriyasu insisted Japan had made significant progress since the last World Cup but acknowledged that there was still work to do.

"Looking at the comparison with Brazil, I think we've definitely closed the gap," Moriyasu said in the post-match press conference.

"It's not that Brazil have become weaker. Japan has moved closer to that world-class level. But Brazil still had moments where they showed their quality, so there is still a difference. We have to keep working to close that gap."

The Japan coach pointed to his team's improved organisation and ability to control matches for longer periods than in previous tournaments.

"I feel we've become much more solid defensively and are able to control games for longer," he explained. "But today's result also showed that if we want to keep winning against teams like Brazil, we still have to become stronger both in attack and defence."

Moriyasu revealed Brazil's tactical adjustment after the interval forced him into changes of his own, with Carlo Ancelotti's side increasingly targeting the wide areas through crosses.

"Brazil made it very clear they wanted to attack down the flanks and deliver crosses into the box," he said. "Their first goal came from that approach, so we made substitutions to try to deal with it and regain control of the game."

Despite the defeat, Moriyasu believes the tournament highlighted the next stage of Japan's development rather than exposing fundamental weaknesses.

"The biggest area for improvement is our transition from defence into attack," he explained. "We have to improve the quality of our passing, how we move to receive those passes, and how quickly we can break through an opponent's press."

He added that Japan must also become more effective immediately after losing possession.

"When we lose the ball, we have to improve our pressing from the first or second pass. That's always been one of the greatest challenges against the strongest teams in the world."

Moriyasu praised the resilience of his squad throughout a tournament disrupted by injuries, including the absence of several key players.

"The players stayed calm and dealt with every unexpected situation," he said.

"Of course, missing important players affected us, but we never looked at it negatively. The strength of Japanese football is that the next player steps in and keeps the team's level high. That's something this squad showed throughout the tournament."

Looking beyond the World Cup, Moriyasu believes the experience gained by a wider group of players will strengthen Japan in the years ahead.

"The more players who gain experience at this level, the stronger Japanese football becomes," he said. "That's critical for our future."

The 56-year-old also revealed the message he delivered to his players after the final whistle, urging them to use the disappointment as motivation rather than dwelling on the defeat.

"I told them everyone would naturally feel regret and frustration," Moriyasu said.

"But they should hold on to those feelings and use them to help themselves grow. None of the players see the tournament as the end, and neither do the staff. I want them to learn from this experience and continue fighting for Japan."

Moriyasu accepted responsibility for failing to lead Japan further in the competition despite believing his side had the quality to challenge Brazil.

"I truly believe we had a chance to win today. The players and staff gave everything over the last four years, and for that reason, the level of the national team has undoubtedly risen. If there was a shortcoming, it was my coaching."

The Japan boss reiterated his long-held belief that his country can one day lift the World Cup, even if that ambition still seems overly ambitious to many observers.

"We're not the favourites yet," he said. "Right now we're the dark horse with a real chance of becoming number one in the future. If we had won today, it would have shown just how close we are."

Moriyasu also highlighted the wider significance of Japan's recent progress, pointing to victories over traditional football powers and growing belief throughout the country.

"The players have changed Japan's position in world football," he said. "People can now see that Japan is challenging to become the best in the world. We want more people to believe that dream alongside us."

With the Asian Cup now on the horizon, Moriyasu insisted Japan must continue building on the foundations laid during this World Cup rather than viewing their elimination as a setback.

"We have to honestly assess both our strengths and our weaknesses," he said.

"History doesn't change overnight, but if we keep improving steadily, one day that door will open. Japan's teamwork is already something we can be proud of on the world stage, and now we have to keep raising that standard until we reach places we've never been before."