Japan Coach Moriyasu Apologises After Wataru Endo Misses World Cup

DALLAS, United States (AFP) — Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has apologised for the pain caused by the decision that ended captain Wataru Endo’s hopes of playing at the World Cup.

Endo, the Liverpool midfielder, said on Thursday that he was retiring from international football after he was unable to get fit in time for Japan’s first match of the tournament against the Netherlands in Dallas on Sunday.

Moriyasu, who has publicly set Japan the target of winning the World Cup in North America, said the final call was his after the 33-year-old failed to overcome a foot injury.

Endo first represented Japan in 2015 and closes his national-team career with 73 appearances and four goals.

Speaking on Saturday inside the air-conditioned Dallas stadium used by the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, an emotional-looking Moriyasu said he had weighed whether Endo could still contribute and remain with the squad.

“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 told reporters.

The coach said delivering the news to Endo was extremely difficult, adding that the midfielder responded with respect and understanding even though the decision was painful.

“When I communicated the message to Wataru… I felt really bad to tell him such a message,” Moriyasu said.

“Of course it’s impossible to know exactly how he felt or to know what his thoughts were, but he was very understanding and respectful.

“Of course he was hurt. The family members and all the people that he loves, and even the supporters or other people who were supporting him… they were hurt as well.

“I really would like to apologise sincerely to them personally.

“For the team and also for the country, that decision had to be made. It was tough.”

Japan are being viewed as possible contenders to make a deep run at the World Cup for the first time, especially after an impressive victory over England at Wembley before the competition.

Moriyasu said his players must not allow Endo’s absence, or the injury to Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma, to derail them.

“When the unexpected happens we have to make sure we are not uspet or shocked too much,” said Moriyasu, who guided Japan to group-stage wins against Spain and Germany at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar before Croatia eliminated them on penalties in the round of 16.

He said Japan could be seen as outsiders with a chance, but only if they push beyond old limits and fully test themselves.

Tunisia and Sweden are also in what appears to be a competitive Group F.