In December, Halilhodžić summoned his second and third team to 2017 East Asian Cup. Half of the team were uncapped. This unconventional inexperienced Japan team lost to South Korea 1–4. The Japanese media saw this as a humiliating defeat. Without realizing the Japan–South Korea football rivalry, Halilhodžić comments "I was amazed by South Korea's explosiveness of power, technique and control of the game. South Korea dominated us in every way." His comments made himself under siege by the Japanese media for weeks, ultimately resulting in his dismissal, with former international Akira Nishino replacing him. JFA President Kozo Tashima told reporters at a news conference, that poor results and a lack of “communication and trust” with the players as the reasons for Halilhodžić's dismissal.