On the eve of its departure for the Thailand 5s, Japan changed national futsal team's coach. Michito Harada will be replaced by Sergio Sapo. After two silver medals at AFC Championships, Harada took the decision to leave the team for personal reasons.
Sergio Sapo, famed Brazilian player and coach was in Japan since may as a technical advisor of the Japanese Football Association.
Sapo has been contracted through December of next year, which means he has been entrusted to take Japan to the FIFA Futsal World Championship at Chinese Taipei.