The Japan made its debut in the 2026 World Cup. The Japanese national team did not disfigure at all in its first match at the new World Cup, especially in relation to the strength of the opponent encountered. THE’Holland he didn’t expect Japan to be so solid and aggressive, but the real mistake was underestimating the Japanese reaction after the 2-1. Ronald Koeman had a completely wrong game strategy in the second half. The former Barça coach, after a less than exciting first half of the game with the great material available, decided to make a conservative choice after the 2-1 goal. His substitutions condemned the Dutch to suffer the ferocious Japanese attacks who thus found the strength to score a 2-2 draw with the former Lazio Daichi Kamada. The use of Koopmeiners on the right wing was not convincing and the entry of the revived Depay was detrimental. Instead, the Japanese CT Moriyasu he knew how to make the right adjustments in the match.
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Moriyasu and tactics live on TV
TOKYO, JAPAN – MAY 31: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu applauds fans after the international friendly between Japan and Iceland at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on May 31, 2026. (Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)
Hajime Moriyasu has coached the national team since autumn 2018, after the Russian World Cup in which the Japanese lost to Belgium in the round of 16 in a surprising 3-2. Since that moment, Japan has built a real team capable of commanding respect in every competition played. In 2022 the Japanese defeated the Germany and Spain, finishing the group in first place and being defeated in the round of 16 by Croatia, but only on penalties.
THE MORIYASU METHOD 🇯🇵📋
In the mark of the external world champion in Dallas which finished 2-2 ahead of the Lower Countries, the Japanese trainer made suggestions with a pizarra. pic.twitter.com/HoJegKwy3n
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) June 14, 2026
This year, the Japanese are firmly aiming to get past the round of 16 and to advance in the tournament, they are trying new strategies on the pitch. Therefore, the blackboards used by the Japanese coach on the pitch surprised everyone. Moriyasu, to communicate instructions to the players, maintaining tactical secrecy, decided to write about blackboards large numbers available. They, in addition to indicating the final recovery, contained real ones secret codes for game instructions.
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