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National team manager Akira Nishino predicted Thursday that Japan will improve on its 2018 World Cup performance by reaching the quarterfinals in 2022, but it will not be around the lead after the Japan Football Association announced it would not extend its contract the end of this month.
"It's disappointing to be home while the World Cup is still going on," Nishino said at a news conference at a hotel near Narita Airport, where the team returned from Russia on Thursday following its heartbreaking in the round of 16 on Monday.
"Four years from now we want to reach the quarterfinals. I feel the players will be able to achieve that we have accomplished with this result. I want to believe that the players can do it. "
Nishino was released in the manager's job in April and was given a contract by Vahid Halilhodzic was fired just two months before the start of the World Cup.
Nishino's leadership, beating Colombia in its opening game, and drawing to the heart of the world. Once there, the Samurai Blue took a 2-0 lead against highly favored Belgium, only to concede three goals and exit the tournament following a 3-2 defeat.
JFA President Kozo Tashima told reporters Thursday that the federation would "not persuade Nishino to stay in the job, "and that the search for a new manager will begin with" a blank slate. "
" My contract runs until the end of this day. of the World Cup with only that in mind, "Nishino said. "I want to see my contract through."
Around 800 fans welcomed the team at Narita airport, in contrast to the gloomy mood that saw the team leaving for the tournament.
"said Japan captain Makoto Hasebe, who announced his international retirement following the loss to Belgium. "A lot of people came to the airport to welcome us today."
"The players talked about a lot of things, but we knew that people did not expect us to do much at the tournament and we have been determined to turn the situation around. We were able to change people's perception of us. "
Nishino had been in the job for 10 weeks when the World Cup kicked off on June 14, but the manager won plaudits for getting the best
"The previous manager left me with a great deal of thought," said Nishino. "I think we were able to produce some excellent performances. We were only able to claim one win (at the World Cup) and I really did not know how hard it was to take just one point, score one goal or come out on top of one play at the World Cup. It really did not matter how difficult it was to get out of the group and win in the knockout round at the World Cup.
"It has been 64 days since I took over as manager, but the players have been working towards this over the four years since the last World Cup in Brazil. (19659002) Hasebe announced his international retirement in an Instagram post on Tuesday, ending in Samurai Blue career that began in February 2006 and totaled 114 appearances and two goals.
"I 've been playing for the national team for 12 or 13 years, and this is a national team player is over, "said 34-year-old Hasebe, who played for Japan at three World Cups . "I feel a big sense of loss. It feels obvious to say that when you've been there for so long. I was sitting looking at the window on the plane back to Japan, feeling very sentimental.
"Now I feel 99 percent satisfied and the other 1 percent is regrets. I hope that 1 percent of regrets can help me in my life from now on. "
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