Moriyasu holds his appointment press conference — Miyamoto explains the half-year term: 'to win the Asian Cup'

The day's one item: Moriyasu's press conference

There were no fixtures overnight, so Japan's news centred on Thursday's 2pm appointment press conference. Moriyasu said of the half-year deal, 'I talked it over with president Miyamoto, and I am satisfied myself,' and welled up as he spoke of his feelings for the national team. 'It is not that there is unfinished business,' he said, and 'I want to hand over the baton well' — words that drew a line under the round-of-32 exit against Brazil.

The answer to 'why only half a year'

The term runs only to the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia next January–February, and Miyamoto gave the reason: 'The Asian Cup is the most important tournament after the World Cup. I want Moriyasu to show his strength in Asia and carry us to the title.' The framing is that this is not a caretaker stint but an appointment aimed squarely at silverware. Technical director Masakuni Yamamoto sat alongside them; Go Oiwa, confirmed as the successor, did not attend.

Tonight and after

There are no fixtures scheduled. What moves next is Oiwa's own press conference and the first squad call-up ahead of the Asian Cup, but neither has a date yet. On the world side, FIFA's disciplinary case over the post-final brawl is still open, with no final sanctions confirmed.