The Japan national football team defeated New Zealand 2-1 on October 5, 2026, at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, securing the Kirin Cup trophy for the first time in 15 years, yna.co.kr reported. The victory marked the final home match for manager Hajime Moriyasu, who has led the squad since 2018.
How Japan Secured the Kirin Cup Victory Over New Zealand
Ayase Ueda opened the scoring for Japan in the 28th minute of the match. New Zealand responded quickly when Ben Old equalized just four minutes later in the 32nd minute.
The result gave Japan its first Kirin Cup title since 2011, when the team shared the championship with Peru and the Czech Republic. The tournament, hosted by the Japan Football Association, returned for the first time in four years after a hiatus since 2022. Ecuador and Panama also competed in the four-team exhibition event, with Japan having previously defeated Ecuador in a penalty shootout on October 1.
Manager Hajime Moriyasu Concludes His Home Tenure
The fixture served as the final home appearance for Moriyasu before his scheduled departure. Following the 2026 World Cup, where Japan advanced past the group stage before a 32nd-round exit against Brazil, the Japan Football Association retained Moriyasu to manage the team through the 2027 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Reflecting on the milestone, Moriyasu stated that seeing the packed stands brought up strong emotions and made him feel like crying. When asked about a potential return to the National Stadium, he noted that while nothing is fixed, he plans to continue coaching and expects to return to the venue in some capacity.
Moriyasu leads November matches before Go Oiwa takes over
Japan finished its September-to-October international window with a record of three wins and one draw, including the penalty shootout win over Ecuador. Moriyasu remains in charge for remaining matches against Brazil and Paraguay in November, which will take place in Singapore.
Following the Asian Cup in January and February 2027, Go Oiwa will take over the senior national team. Oiwa previously managed the under-21 national team during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Japan's past Kirin Cup wins and coaching changes
When did Japan last win the Kirin Cup prior to 2026?
Japan last won the tournament in 2011, sharing the trophy with Peru and the Czech Republic in a joint victory.
Which teams participated in the 2026 Kirin Cup tournament?
The four-team exhibition featured hosts Japan, Ecuador, New Zealand, and Panama.
Who will succeed Hajime Moriyasu as Japan manager?
Go Oiwa, who previously managed the under-21 national team, will take over the senior squad following the 2027 Asian Cup.
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