Japanese football Federation has confirmed that manager Javier Aguirre is set to continue amidst match fixing allegations and an early exit from the Asian cup.

Japan came into the tournament as the defending champions, but they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage after a loss on penalties to United Arab Emirates. Even though the team had managed to win all of the group matches, Japan could not find a way past UAE.

The match went into penalties after a 1-1 draw. Aside from the early exit,Aguirre’s managerial future is hanging in the balance due to match fixing allegations surrounding him.

JFA head Kunia Daini says that Japan will not be taking any major decisions surrounding the future of Aguirre until the results of the investigation revealed. The match fixing allegations are leading up to a time whenAguirre was the manager of Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza. It would be almost impossible for Aguirreto continue – if found guilty – as a manager at any level, as this crime can be punished with prison time in Spain.Daini, though, has said that the football Federation are happy with the performance is under Aguirre despite the early exit. He says that Japan did not concede a single goal and that they were only knockout on penalties, which often depends on luck.

“The case is still being officially investigated so we will not comment further until there is official clarification. In this light, Aguirre will still continue. Since the coach has taken up the job he has done a really good job in getting the team together. He has done really well on that front,” said the Japanese football head Daini. Japan’s next match is two friendlies against Tunisia and Uzbekistan in the final few days of March. They take on Korea DPR in the East Asian cup in the summer.