Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu on Saturday described Wataru Endo as “hurt” and apologised after torpedoing the captain’s World Cup dreams on the eve of the tournament.
The Liverpool midfielder abruptly announced on Thursday that his international career was over, having failed to recover from injury ahead of Japan’s opening match of the tournament against the Netherlands in Dallas on Sunday.
Moriyasu, who has said his goal is to take Japan to World Cup glory in North America, said it had been his call that the 33-year-old should not be involved following a foot injury.
Endo made his Japan debut in 2015 and retires with 73 caps, having scored four goals for his country.
“I ultimately looked at whether he can perform or not, and remain in the team or not. I was the one that made the final decision,” Moriyasu, who appeared emotional, told reporters at the air-conditioned stadium in Dallas that is home to NFL team the Dallas Cowboys.
