Tuesday’s dramatic win over Australia was seemingly enough to save Samurai Blue head coach Hajime Moriyasu’s job.
Whether that salvation is deserved is another question, with the result still leaving Japan with two wins and two losses after four games — its worst start to the final group phase of World Cup qualifying since 1998.
Following defeats to Oman and Saudi Arabia and a lukewarm win over China, speculation was rife among local media that failure to beat the Socceroos would have forced the hand of Japan Football Association Chairman Kozo Tashima, who has steadfastly backed Moriyasu despite the senior team’s struggles and a frustrating Olympic campaign that ended without a podium finish.