Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu reacts during a news conference in Tokyo, Thursday. AP-Yonhap
Japan national team coach Hajime Moriyasu has defended former Korea coach Hong Myung-bo, saying he does not believe Hong deserves to be remembered as the country's worst national team manager despite Korea's disappointing group-stage exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday after returning to Japan with his squad, Moriyasu was asked by a Korean reporter for his assessment of the Korean national team.
"I don't know the situation in Korea well enough, so there's only so much I can say," Moriyasu said. "But Hong and I have stayed in touch as rivals and friends. I don't think he should be regarded as the worst coach in Korean football history. He fought tirelessly for Korean football."
Moriyasu added that Hong had done everything he could under the circumstances.
