The head coach of the South Korean national football team, Hong Myung-bo, met with the head coach of the Japanese national team, Hajime Moriyasu.
The two coaches leading their respective countries held a special interview on June 26 at the JFA Dream Field in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. This is the first time that the coaches of the South Korean and Japanese national teams have met for an interview.
The discussion was organized by Kyodo News to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan and was a time for a broad conversation about the history and development of football in both countries and future cooperation plans.
Coaches Hong Myung-bo and Hajime Moriyasu have a connection from their playing days when they both played in the J-League at the same time. Now face to face as the heads of the national teams, the two coaches recalled the fierce Korea-Japan matches during their playing days, agreeing that this rivalry has positively stimulated the growth of football in both countries.
They also confirmed that football has played a significant role in cultural and human exchanges between the two countries, discussing friendly cooperation and development through sports.
In conclusion, the two coaches expressed their determination for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, finishing the discussion by cheering for the success of their respective countries.
The special discussion between the heads of the South Korean and Japanese teams can be confirmed through Kyodo News.
[Photo] Kyodo News, provided by the Korea Football Association.
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