Hajime Moriyasu, Japan's manager, has set his sights on a final chance to achieve glory at next year's Asian Cup, after the Japan Football Association extended his contract on Thursday until the end of the continental tournament, before handing over the reins to under-21 coach Go Oiwa.

Moriyasu, who has led Japan since 2018, will remain in his post until the end of the continental championship in February, with Oiwa set to take over when Japan begins preparations for the 2030 World Cup.

The 57-year-old coach said his focus is entirely on capturing Asia's biggest title before stepping down.

Moriyasu told reporters on Friday: 'Whether it's four years, two years, one year, or six months, my mindset remains the same toward the goal... which is for Japan to win the World Cup by 2050.'

He added: 'I want to connect the past, present, and future, while making the best choices for the team today.'

He continued: 'It's a difficult balance, but I intend to pick players and build a squad (for the Asian Cup) focused on winning the tournament, based on the conviction that doing so will help Japanese football continue to grow.'

Moriyasu led Japan to the round of 32 in the World Cup before a 1-2 loss to Brazil in stoppage time ended the team's run last month.

He also led Japan to the 2019 Asian Cup final where they lost to Qatar. In the 2023 edition, the record four-time champion exited the tournament in the quarter-finals at the hands of Iran.

Japan begins its campaign in Group 6 against Indonesia on January 11, and Moriyasu said he will work closely with Oiwa in his quest to build the senior team with the aim of lifting the trophy.

Moriyasu said: 'We have already called up players from the under-21 national team coached by Go Oiwa to the senior squad, before returning them to his team.'

He added: 'We will continue to communicate closely, but the final decision (during the Asian Cup) will be mine, and I will take full responsibility for managing the team during my tenure.'

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