Initially, it seemed that Japan might pull off a significant upset against Brazil, showcasing a squad brimming with energy and talent. They projected a powerful message, both to the world and their homeland, that a new era was unfolding. However, the second half saw a decline in their performance; their energy waned, leading to a 2-1 defeat after a late goal in the 96th minute. The absence of key players, including Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo, Takumi Minamino, and Takefusa Kubo, likely influenced the outcome, underscoring Brazil’s superior depth.
Support from across Asia was notably strong, as fans rallied for continental pride. Japan’s head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, stated, “We are representing Asia. I know that other Asian teams are not as successful,”
Despite Japan’s success, their model of long-term planning and resilience has not yet permeated the region, although recent performances could inspire change. Moriyasu might ponder that if the overall standard in Asia improved, Japan would be better equipped to compete against top-tier teams like Brazil, rather than being forced into a defensive posture.
This World Cup has been particularly grim for Asian teams. Out of nine participants, only Australia remains in the tournament, facing Egypt on Friday, while seven teams exited in the early stages. In contrast, only one of Africa’s ten teams suffered a similar fate.
Iran, however, merits special consideration. Team Melli drew all three of their matches and came remarkably close to advancing, facing numerous challenges. Had geopolitical tensions not disrupted their preparations, their chances could have been significantly improved. Additionally, debutants Jordan and Uzbekistan, alongside Iraq, faced steep learning curves in their initial World Cup experiences. Jordan, despite injuries, managed to score in every match, while Iraq was placed in a particularly tough group featuring France, Norway, and Senegal.
Uzbekistan has built a solid youth development system, yet inconsistency remains a challenge across Asia. Jordan’s head coach, Jamal Sellami, emphasized the need for more players to gain international experience, stating, “I would like us to be able to encourage other Asian teams as well, and we would like to be their hope.”
Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with predominantly domestic-based squads, face similar challenges. Their reliance on foreign talent in local leagues has created a comfortable environment for native players to remain at home. Furthermore, the recent coaching change in Saudi Arabia, from Hervé Renard to Giorgios Donis, further illustrates the lack of a coherent long-term strategy.
South Korea, often regarded as a strong contender, underperformed, failing to advance despite an initial win against Czechia. Their subsequent matches against Mexico and South Africa were marked by a lackluster display.
In the wake of these disappointing outcomes, Hong Myung-bo has stepped down as head coach, igniting discussions about the future direction of the team.
Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation, acknowledged the efforts of Japan and Australia but suggested that the overall disappointing results indicate a need for new leadership within the AFC, which he has led since 2013.
The AFC must accept some responsibility for the recent failures. Frequent changes to the Champions League format have favored larger nations, particularly Saudi Arabia, which has hosted key matches. Moreover, both Saudi Arabia and Qatar benefitted from favorable home conditions during qualification, raising questions about the integrity of their progress to the World Cup.
As the dust settles, there will be much to analyze, but time is short. The Asian Cup is set to commence in Saudi Arabia in January, presenting a chance for teams to regroup. This moment allows for reflection and planning, inspired by Japan’s model, with hopes of advancing further in future tournaments.
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