Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu says Hong Myung-bo was "far from the worst... He also gave everything, so please praise him" [2026 FIFA World Cup]

[Financial News] The South Korea national team manager left the arrivals hall with his head bowed, almost as if fleeing, amid fierce boos and insults.
By contrast, Japan's national team manager stepped back onto home soil with confidence, greeted by loud applause and cheers. The return of the two leaders after the 2026 FIFA World Cup could not have been more different. In that cruel contrast, the warm words from a rival coach, spoken with the composure of a winner, only made the pain for Korean football feel sharper.
At a World Cup debriefing press conference in Tokyo on the 2nd, Hajime Moriyasu offered a heavy message of comfort to former South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo, who had stepped down and left in silence.

Japan advanced through the so-called "group of death" with one win and two draws, collecting five points and remaining unbeaten. In the round of 32, they faced Brazil, the world's top-ranked powerhouse, and took the lead before suffering a narrow 2-1 comeback defeat. Although they fell short of the round of 16, Japanese fans gave the team a heartfelt welcome at the airport for showing fighting spirit until the end. South Korea, meanwhile, crashed out in the group stage with a disastrous record of one win and two losses for three points, finishing 34th overall. Hong was forced to announce his humiliating resignation on site.
When a Korean outlet asked about Hong's situation during the press conference, Moriyasu defended his rival with caution but firmness.
He said, "I cannot know the exact internal situation in Korea, but from the outside, I do not think this tournament was the worst result in history." He added, "Coach Hong Myung-bo fought and devoted himself for his country until his body was broken. The criticism pouring in now is ultimately based on results. We cannot dismiss everything he went through and all the effort he made as if it were all wrong."

The two coaches share a special connection. Last July, they exchanged football philosophies in a dialogue marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea. Soon after, they faced off on the bench in the East Asian Cup, also known as the EAFF E-1 Championship, where Japan won 1-0. Moriyasu also made sure to add, "Korean fans may feel disappointed, but I hope they will also look at the praise and the good things about the coaches and players who shed blood and sweat for their country."
What makes his remarks even more striking is Moriyasu's strict self-assessment. Even with the airport filled with cheers and the Japan Football Association (JFA) leaning toward keeping him on, he did not get carried away. "Separate from today's welcome, I was deeply disappointed in myself for failing to get past Brazil," he said. Then he looked higher, adding, "But if we do not stop growing here, I am certain the day will come when we stand at the top of the world."
Korean football has been reduced to ashes by anger directed at the coach amid a system in collapse. Japan, meanwhile, is encouraging one another and looking toward the future even in the pain of failure. Faced with the warm yet sharp dignity of a rival coach, the bleak reality of Korean football's lost direction stands out even more clearly.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter