DALLAS, June 14, (V7N)– Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu on Saturday described Wataru Endo as "hurt" and apologized after making the decision to leave the captain out of the World Cup squad on the eve of the tournament. The Liverpool midfielder abruptly announced on Thursday that his international career was over, having failed to recover from injury ahead of Japan's opening match against the Netherlands in Dallas on Sunday.
Moriyasu, who has said his goal is to take Japan to World Cup glory in North America, confirmed it had been his call that the 33-year-old should not be involved following a foot injury. "I ultimately looked at whether he can perform or not... I was the one that made the final decision," an emotional Moriyasu told reporters at the air-conditioned Dallas Cowboys stadium.
"When I communicated the message to Wataru, I felt really bad to tell him such a message. Of course he was hurt. The family members and all the people that he loves... they were hurt as well. I really would like to apologize sincerely to them personally. For the team and also for the country, that decision had to be made. It was tough," he said. Endo made his Japan debut in 2015 and retires with 73 caps and four goals.
Moriyasu backed his talented squad not to dwell on the absence of Endo and injured Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma. "When the unexpected happens we have to make sure we are not upset or shocked too much," said the coach, who masterminded group-stage wins over Spain and Germany at the 2022 World Cup before losing to Croatia on penalties in the last 16.
Japan have been tipped to go far in the World Cup for the first time, having impressed by beating England at Wembley in the lead-up to the competition. "We could be considered a dark horse, but to do that we have to break the shells off of what we have been hiding in and try to go to the limit," Moriyasu added. Japan faces the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden in a tight-looking Group F.
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