FIFA WC 2026: Japan coach's old-school timekeeping method grabs attention; fans attempt to decode
New Delhi, June 15
Japan never fails to amuse with their innovations; this time it's their men's football team head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, who is turning heads at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an old-school yet innovative method of giving instructions to his team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Dallas.
In video clips that went viral on social media, Moriyasu can be seen utilising a hand-held whiteboard flashed with massive numbers, starting from three and ending with 1, to communicate directly with his players on the pitch.
The move clearly paid off as it gave his players some urgency as time was running out for Japan as they chased a goal with the score at 2-1 in the final minutes. Japan scored an 88th-minute equaliser as they twice fought back to rescue a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in front of 69,285 fans.
The bizarre method quickly went viral on social media as fans were full of praise for Moriyasu's old-fashioned move and tried everything they could to figure out the manager's instructions.
A fan wrote, "It's very smart. Why would he shout so much in a crowded and noisy stadium while something visual is much more appealing and clear?" another user said, "Performative coach," while a fan said, "They are superior, all that's left is to applaud and enjoy." Another user said, "If a Japanese person gets their brain going, they turn into something unnatural."
Meanwhile, some fans started to decode what the manager was trying to communicate with those numbers on the board. A user wrote, "This is the instruction code. Each number represents a specific plan and tactic. Japan treats football as a science and study, not just talent and running and cohesion."
One user said, "I believe it's an instruction code where each number represents a specific command." Another one fan tried to explain the instructions, saying, '4 means 'headshot the CK' and 5 means 'hit an ally's head to change direction'."
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, this is so Japanese. They treat everything like a science. But I wonder if this could backfire if the opponent decodes the numbers. Still, respect for thinking out of the box.
In a noisy stadium, this makes perfect sense. Our Indian coaches should take notes! Sometimes we overcomplicate things with shouting when a simple whiteboard can do the job. Japan always ahead in efficiency.
Ab yeh log numbers se khel rahe hain jabki humare yahan toh coaches bas chillate rehte hain. Respect for thinking differently! Though I'd love to know what '3' and '1' actually meant—maybe it's a formation change or pressing trigger.
This is classic Japanese discipline. They don't waste time and energy. But let's not pretend this is revolutionary—many coaches use visual aids. The real thing is the result: drawing with Netherlands is no joke. Well done Japan!
It's nice but feels a bit gimmicky. Football is about instincts too, not just coded instructions. But if it worked for them in a crucial moment, who am I to judge? Japan is definitely improving their football standards.
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