Moriyasu on the Asian Cup delay: "Nothing has changed," and he'll give everything until his contract ends

A day after the AFC moved the Asian Cup to December 2027, Hajime Moriyasu sat down to name his squad and faced the question everyone was asking. His answer was pure Moriyasu: the postponement changes nothing about how he works. He has always tried to give his best in the matches in front of him and connect them to the future, and that is still the plan. He acknowledged his contract period is limited, and said he will give everything until it ends. When the tournament does happen, he said, the work this staff has done can help the next team. As for when that end comes, the JFA isn't saying yet. Technical director Masakuni Yamamoto told reporters he could not discuss contract details there, and that putting it in order properly is his job. Here's what we know. Moriyasu's deal was built to run through the Asian Cup, with Go Oiwa taking over in March 2027. With the tournament now nearly a year later, that plan is up in the air. Some Japanese outlets have floated the Paraguay match on Nov 17, or the Dec 30 game in Osaka, as possible farewells. That is speculation, not a JFA announcement. What we feel: after eight years, two World Cups and so many nights we'll never forget, this man deserves a proper send-off, whenever it comes. If Singapore turns out to be his last trip abroad with Samurai Blue, let's make sure he hears us. We'll update this the moment the JFA speaks.

Source: Football Channel (Japanese)

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