Morten Soubak to lead Japanese girls!
The Japan Handball Association announced the appointment of Danish coach Morten Soubak as the new head coach of its women’s senior national team.
Since hosting the 2019 IHF Women’s World Championship, Japan were one of the most impressive teams in major international competitions, with an accelerated development, which saw the Asian side finish 10th at the 2019 IHF Women’s World Championship, 11th at the 2021 IHF Women’s World Championship and 17th at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship.
After five editions of the AHF Asian Women’s Handball Championship where they finished as runners-up, Japan finally secured their maiden title since 2004 in December 2024, when they won the final against the Republic of Korea, 25:24.
“I’m very proud to lead the Japanese women’s national team, I want to make this team stronger and better from now on,” said Soubak after his appointment.
Soubak will be the second Danish coach of the Japan women’s senior national team, after Ulrik Kirkely led the team between 2017 and 2021, including during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, when Japan finished on the 12th place.
Between 2007 and 2011, he moved to Brazil, where he coached EC Pinheiros, taking over the Brazil women’s national team in 2009. That coincided with the biggest success of his career, leading Brazil to the title at the 2013 IHF Women’s World Championship, one of the biggest surprises in the history of the competition.
After seven years spent in Brazil – three of which he also spent in Austria, at Hypo Niederosterreich – Soubak moved to Angola, where he led both a club side, Primeiro de Agosto, and the women’s national team, being the latter’s coach between 2017 and 2021.
Between 2021 and 2022 he also coached Romanian side HC Dunărea Brăila, while participating at the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship as Saudi Arabia’s assistant coach, where he teamed up with another Danish coach, Jan Pytlick.
“I’m from Denmark, but I’ve coached various teams all over the world. I’ve gained experience in Brazil, Angola, Saudi Arabia, and with club teams in Austria and Romania. And now I’m excited about the new challenge of managing the Japanese national team,” said Soubak.
“My goal with this team is initially to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and reach the quarterfinals during this phase. In the long term, we will continue to work on strengthening our team, always with the goal of becoming one of the best teams in the world in mind,” added the Danish coach.
Soubak’s first challenge will be the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship, where Japan will play in Group A in Rotterdam, alongside Denmark, Croatia and Romania.
TEXT: IHF.info
