Asian Cup Japanese Coach Ito Accused of Sexual Misconduct: "Don't Push Too Hard"

“Ito is among the best in the world…his absence will have an impact on the development of Asian soccer.”

Japan national soccer team coach Hajime Moriyasu defended Junya Ito (Start Reims), who was accused of sexual misconduct and eventually kicked out of the national team, to the end. https://www.powerballsite.com

A press conference was held at the main media center (MMC) in Doha, Qatar, on the 2nd ahead of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup quarterfinals between Japan and Iran.

At the beginning of the Japan national team press conference attended by coach Moriyasu and midfielder Hidemasa Morita, questions focused on the two-day confusion the Japanese national team had over Ito.

As reports emerged on the 31st of last month that Ito had been accused of sexual misconduct, the Japan Football Association (JFA) announced in the early afternoon of the 1st, Qatar time, that Ito would be released from the national team.

However, this decision was overturned on the evening of the same day, and again in the early morning of the 2nd, with the final decision being that Ito would leave the national team.

Foreign reporters continued to ask Director Moriyasu questions about Ito.

The Japanese reporters did not ask questions about Ito, but only asked general questions related to the war with Iran.

When asked about why Ito left the team and the impact this situation would have on the Japanese national team, Coach Moriyasu said, "Ito and Junya want to fight until the end of this tournament, and we want to fight together with the goal of winning.

“There was,” he said.

He continued, “In the meantime, during the discussion, I was told that I had my own intention and would decide to withdraw, so I agreed and decided not to play in tomorrow’s game.”

Coach Moriyasu added, "I am a player who has contributed to the team's victory so far, so I feel pain and regret, but I want to cherish my physical and mental health."

Regarding the team atmosphere, he said, "I'm not worried at all about the players being brave enough to fight."

When asked about Ito's mental state, Coach Moriyasu replied, "I don't think he has the mentality to play soccer at high intensity.

I want to support him as much as possible and watch him perform at his best as soon as possible."

Defensive remarks about Ito continued. https://imgur.com/a/yX7DRXi

He requested 'restraint' from the media and said things that could be seen as secondary harassment.

Director Moriyasu said, “I would like to ask the media to refrain from pushing Ito excessively.”

“He is a really good player in Asia, and I think his inability to play will have an impact on the development of Asian football,” he said.

He said, “It is very unfortunate that those who watch Asian soccer will have to watch tomorrow’s great match between Japan and Iran without the world’s best player (Ito),” adding, “I hope that he will be able to compete against the world as an Asian player (in the future).”

“I hope you will support me so that I can show it to you,” he said emphatically.

The Japanese national team's interpreter interpreted the words, "Please refrain from being pushed too hard," as "Don't overreact."

Quite a few foreign reporters looked displeased.

After that, no questions related to Ito were asked.

Regarding Iran's goal scorer Mehdi Taremi missing the quarterfinals due to accumulated warnings, Coach Moriyasu said, "Even without him, Iran has players with destructive power, including Sardar Azmoun.

We need to focus and defend."

He added, "We need to focus and defend."

“I will try to reduce the number of goals conceded even a little so that we can prevent them,” he said.

Morita said, "We had a difficult three matches in the group stage, and the game against Bahrain was also a difficult one," but added, "We are solving each task as a team as we play game after game. https://www.oncasino.site

We have reached a level where we can demonstrate our original skills.

Please look forward to tomorrow's game." He said.