Japan officially advanced to the AFC Asian Cup final on July 7, setting up a showdown with the China national football team.
Next came the championship clash everyone had been waiting for. The importance of this match to both teams went without saying. Just as Hajime Moriyasu had said before: there could only be one strongest team in Asia.
If the China national football team won the AFC Asian Cup final, they would become the universally recognized "strongest national team in Asia over the past decade."
But if Japan won, they could end the myth the China national football team had created over the past few years, perhaps even taking China's place.
"Hei! Yes, this will be the most important match of my coaching career."
"I have always believed that Japan Football is stronger than Chinese football. In the past, we made plans to win the World Cup and hoped to claim our first World Cup title in 2030. But the emergence of the China national football team exceeded my expectations, so I have temporarily revised the plan."
"We must first become number one in Asia, then number one in the world."
Hajime Moriyasu laid out his analysis methodically. "I believe we can achieve our first objective in the final on July 12."
"Tang Ye said your team has considerable strength, but he believes in his own team."
"Mm... hei! Yes."
Hajime Moriyasu bent slightly at the waist and nodded. "Mr. Tang is very formidable, but what I want to say is that we have learned from the World Cup qualifiers and the World Cup. The Japan national football team has been completely transformed."
"Ganbarimasu! I will do my best!"
Hajime Moriyasu raised his clenched right fist. It seemed the person he was cheering on was himself.
Official announcement