Japan Replace Vahid Halilhodzic with Akira Nishino 2 Months Ahead of World Cup

Japan have appointed Akira Nishino as their national team manager on Monday after relieving Vahid Halilhodzic of his duties, just two months ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

The Asian Football Confederation confirmed the appointment on Twitter:

Nishino, who earned 12 caps for Japan as a player, has previously managed the Samurai Blue at youth level, including their under-23s at the 1996 Olympics, in which he oversaw a 1-0 win against a Brazil side containing Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Rivaldo.

The 63-year-old has also had success as a manager at club level, as noted by football commentator Ben Mabley:

According to Reuters' Jack Tarrant, the Japanese Football Association had announced its decision to part with Halilhodzic earlier in the day, with president Kozo Tashima quoted by Kyodo news agency as reportedly confirming the coach's replacement would be revealed at a press conference later on.

The 65-year-old guided Algeria to the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup, and he had been in charge of Japan for three years.

He guided them to the 2018 World Cup—their sixth consecutive qualification for football's biggest tournament—after they overcame the likes of Saudi Arabia and Australia to top Asia's qualifying Group B.

However, Japan were defeated on home soil 4-1 by South Korea in the final match of the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship. It was their biggest home defeat by the Koreans since 1954 and handed them the overall victory in the competition.

Halilhodzic apologised for the loss and said it "will teach us a lot of things," per Reuters' Michael Church.

In the recent international break, however, a 1-1 draw with Mali and a 2-1 loss to Ukraine were disappointing results.

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Nishino faces a tricky group comprised of Colombia, Senegal and Poland in Russia this summer, and they will have just three matches to work with his side prior to the World Cup.

The Samurai Blue have friendlies with Ghana, Switzerland and Paraguay lined up ahead of the competition.