[Japan national football team head coach]
[Hajime Moriyasu]
"This was a great match. It proved that Japan national football team can achieve anything. I'm proud of our players, and I'm proud of Japan Football."
"Did you ever think today's match would end 1-1?"
"Yes, I did."
Moriyasu nodded with a smile. Having secured first place in Group D after the win, the Japan head coach was basking in glory. "I considered every possibility, including defeating Spain, but unfortunately, we haven't managed that yet."
"Japan's goal is to win the World Cup in 2030. That goal will not change."
"Since you advanced as group winners, your opponent in the Round of 16 will be Argentina. Did you take that into consideration? Perhaps you could have lost this match, so that your next opponent wouldn't be Argentina, but China."
"..."
After hearing the question, Moriyasu fell silent.
"Actually..."
"Compared with China, we would rather face Argentina in the Round of 16."
It was a little embarrassing, but those words accurately represented Japan national football team's current situation.
Japan national football team could create miracles, but there was an even greater miracle looming over them.
At least in the eyes of Japan's coaching staff, the odds of upsetting Argentina and advancing were greater than the odds of defeating China national football team.
Poor Moriyasu still hadn't escaped Tang Ye's shadow!
Click, click!
"Mr. Moriyasu, is this way of thinking influenced by the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers? You haven't beaten China in your past few AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and AFC Asian Cups."
Click, click!
"...That's right. It's a fact. We've lost to China repeatedly, and even our best result in recent years has been a draw."
Moriyasu lowered his head, then quickly raised it again. "I acknowledge that China national football team is