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Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has hailed the progress of Japan during his visit to the football-loving nation, where he met with newly elected Japan Football Association (JFA) President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto.
At the outset, the AFC President extended his congratulations to former Japan Captain Miyamoto on his election as the JFA President in March.
“I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to President Miyamoto for his unanimous election as the new JFA President for the term 2024 to 2026,” Shaikh Salman said. “With his experience as Assistant to his predecessor, Kohzo Tashima, and his role as JFA General Secretary, together with insights from his illustrious playing career and as a FIFA Master graduate, I am confident that the JFA will continue to flourish under his new leadership.”
Shaikh Salman went on to note the JFA’s recent successes, which include qualification for the third round of AFC Asian Qualifiers™ and both the men’s and women’s Olympic Football Tournaments at Paris 2024, with its Under-23 men’s side due to face Uzbekistan in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Final on Friday.
On the global stage, the Nadeshiko produced a valiant display at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, where they registered a stunning 4-0 Group Stage victory over eventual champions Spain before bowing out in the Quarterfinals.
Similarly, the Samurai Blue were also the hallmark of inspiration at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as they defeated powerhouses Spain and Germany in the Group Stage but were unfortunate to be eliminated on penalties in the Round of 16 at the hands of Croatia. At the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the record four-time winners reached the last eight.
“Japan has been at the forefront of football development in Asia. They continue to serve as an inspiration for so many of our Member Associations (MAs) in recent years and their record on the biggest stages in world football speaks volumes of the JFA’s unwavering dedication,” said Shaikh Salman.
“This is an outcome of the stability and sound governance that has been meticulously established over the years, which is testament to the JFA’s wise leadership.”
The AFC President also took the opportunity to praise the comprehensive efforts of the JFA in elevating the game across all levels, with its youth sides sealing a record-extending fourth AFC U17 Asian Cup™ title in Thailand in July 2023 while emerging as runners-up at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024™ to book their berth at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia later this year.
Likewise, Urawa Red Diamonds are the reigning AFC Champions League™ title-holders and fellow J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos remain on track for a first crown in the current 2023/24 edition, while the Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies topped their group at the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2023 – Invitational Tournament.
Furthermore, with the launch of the Women’s Empowerment Professional Football League (WE LEAGUE) in September 2021, the JFA is well poised to capitalise on the introduction of the groundbreaking AFC Women’s Champions League from the 2024/25 season.
The positive meeting saw the two heads discuss several matters of mutual interest as the AFC President stressed the key role that the JFA continues to play not only in the region but also across the world of football.
Shaikh Salman added: “From beach soccer to futsal to senior and youth football across both the men’s and women’s game, few MAs have witnessed such an expansive and comprehensive rise of the beautiful game. The JFA’s success on the pitch is a tribute to the efforts undertaken to embrace the highest standards of good governance off the pitch.
“And now with the landmark club reforms set to be introduced, Japan football is well positioned to seize the opportunity to enjoy even greater success both at the Continental and global levels.”
At the same time, JFA President Miyamoto expressed his full support for Shaikh Salman’s vision of strengthening the Asian game and conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to the AFC President for the close collaboration between the JFA and the Confederation.
