AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023: Japan's Coach Confirms Iraq Deserves Win

Doha, January 19 (QNA) - Japanese national team coach Hajime Moriyasu confirmed that the Iraq national team deserved to win in their match held on Friday at Education City Stadium in the second round of the Group D of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.

   The coach said in the post-match press conference that his team created many opportunities in front of the goal and did not succeed in scoring... until shortly before the end, due to the strength of the defensive line of the Iraqi team, which deserved to win. 

   He added that despite the players did their best and studied the game play of the Iraqi team, this latter played with intensity and Japan could not stop them all the time. 

   Moriyasu continued that the Japanese team was not mentally at its best that is why he is going to work on that, saying that even though his team put Iraq under pressure, they could not benefit from set pieces nor vary their style of play. 

   He concluded his remarks by stating that he feels sorry for the fans as he would have loved to please them by a win and congratulating Iraq with the win after a great match. (QNA)