This is making the rounds on #JPN Soccer Twitter: a letter from #SamuraiBlue head coach Hajime Moriyasu to his younger self, taken out as a full-page newspaper ad by the JFA in December 2018.
"To you, whose dream was destroyed on that day,"
1/
"To you, whose dream was destroyed on that day,"
1/
"35 international 'A' matches and one goal. My numbers with the national team we by no means impressive, but I encountered frustration and growth in each and every match.
My first appearance was in May 1992 at the National Stadium."
2/
My first appearance was in May 1992 at the National Stadium."
2/
"I was a nobody, but at a Kirin Cup game I stood on the pitch as an NT player for the first time. We played Argentina.
We lost to their overwhelming strength. It was disappointing.
As a player, I didn't want it to end like that.
I wanted to fill that gap."
3/
We lost to their overwhelming strength. It was disappointing.
As a player, I didn't want it to end like that.
I wanted to fill that gap."
3/
"I wanted Japan to be able to take on the world's best, no, I wanted to be even better. I lost to the world, and gained a dream.
It became everything. I was obsessed.
But after overcoming so many struggles, I reached the door to the world and my dream cruelly collapsed."
4/
It became everything. I was obsessed.
But after overcoming so many struggles, I reached the door to the world and my dream cruelly collapsed."
4/
"October 1993, Doha, Qatar.
In the 90th minute, the ball went past my head, and the opponent headed as though it was slow motion, the ball lingering as it went into the net.
All l could do was watch.
I don't remember much after that."
5/
In the 90th minute, the ball went past my head, and the opponent headed as though it was slow motion, the ball lingering as it went into the net.
All l could do was watch.
I don't remember much after that."
5/
"Did we line up properly? Who did I talk to?
How did we get back to our hotel?
By the time I came to my senses I was crying on the hotel veranda.
I lamented so much, I blamed myself so very many times."
6/
How did we get back to our hotel?
By the time I came to my senses I was crying on the hotel veranda.
I lamented so much, I blamed myself so very many times."
6/
"And in the middle of the greatest failure I'd experienced in my life, that's what I learned.
You have nothing if you don't win. There's nothing you can gain."
7/
You have nothing if you don't win. There's nothing you can gain."
7/
"25 years later, now I'm leading Japan's national team.
Our challenge continues so that the dream I abandoned midway can become true.
The stage we're aiming for four years from now is Qatar, that place of destiny.
8/
Our challenge continues so that the dream I abandoned midway can become true.
The stage we're aiming for four years from now is Qatar, that place of destiny.
8/
"Finally, I want to say something to you who whose dream was destroyed on that day.
Make Japan stronger and beat the world.
We've cried enough tears of regret."
Japan NT Head Coach - Hajime Moriyasu - 2018.12.12
9/9
Make Japan stronger and beat the world.
We've cried enough tears of regret."
Japan NT Head Coach - Hajime Moriyasu - 2018.12.12
9/9
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