Tokyo (AFP) – Neymar scored a 77th-minute penalty as Brazil broke down a stubborn Japan 1-0 in Tokyo on Monday to keep their momentum building ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. The South American heavyweights arrived in Tokyo fresh off a 5-1 thrashing of South Korea in Seoul last week, but Japan proved a […]

Tokyo (AFP) – World Cup-bound Japan say they are primed to test themselves against the mighty Brazil next week after a comprehensive 4-1 win over Paraguay in Sapporo on Thursday. The four-time Asian champions will take on Brazil and Neymar at Tokyo's Olympic stadium on Monday with the aim of beating the South Americans for […]

Tokyo (AFP) – World Cup-bound Japan warmed up for their friendly against Brazil next week with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Paraguay in Sapporo on Thursday. The four-time Asian champions will take on Brazil at Tokyo's Olympic stadium on Monday with the aim of beating the South Americans for the first time in a full […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu says his team have nothing to fear and are aiming for at least the quarter-finals after being drawn in a tough World Cup group containing former champions Spain and Germany. Friday's draw for the World Cup in Qatar later this year threw Japan into Group E along with […]

Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Japan drew 1-1 with Vietnam on Tuesday to end their World Cup qualifying campaign on a flat note days after booking their place in Qatar. The four-time Asian champions fell behind to a 19th-minute goal by Vietnam's Nguyen Thanh Binh, leaving them trailing at half-time to a team that had taken […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Two-goal hero Kaoru Mitoma could be Japan's secret weapon at the World Cup and will also hope to eventually make his mark in the Premier League with a Brighton side crying out for firepower. The tricky 24-year-old winger sent Japan to the Qatar showpiece with a late brace in a 2-0 win […]

Sydney (AFP) – Substitute Kaoru Mitoma scored twice in the dying minutes as Japan beat Australia 2-0 on Thursday to book their place at a seventh straight World Cup and in doing so also helped Saudi Arabia qualify. It was a crushing blow for an understrength Socceroos who now face a perilous play-off to keep […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Kevin Muscat was branded "the most hated man in football" by an opponent during his playing days but the Australian hopes perceptions are changing after making his mark as a coach. England-born Muscat had a successful playing career as a tough-tackling defender with the likes of Wolves, Millwall and Crystal Palace, and […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu told his players to finish the job and clinch qualification for the World Cup after naming his squad Wednesday for next week's clash against Australia. Japan can book their place at a seventh straight World Cup by beating the Socceroos in Sydney on March 24, having recovered from […]

Doha (AFP) – Australia convincingly beat China 3-0 on Thursday as the final stage of Asian qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Thursday. The Socceroos' emphatic win in Doha came hours after Oman had caused a major upset edging past Japan 1-0 in Suita while South Korea were held to a […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal signed Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna for a fee worth a reported £19.8 million ($27.2 million) on Tuesday. The Premier League club said Tomiyasu agreed a "long-term" contract, believed to be an initial four-year deal with the option of a further season's extension. The 22-year-old can play both centre-back and […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Japan will grant asylum to a footballer from Myanmar's national team who raised an anti-coup salute during a match outside Tokyo and refused to fly home, reports said Friday. Substitute goalkeeper Pyae Lyan Aung raised the three-finger salute as the national anthem played before a World Cup qualifier against Japan in May. […]

London (AFP) – Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi hopes to emulate the impact of Shunsuke Nakamura at Scottish Premiership side Celtic. Furuhashi became the latest Japan international to join the club when he arrived in Glasgow from Vissel Kobe in July. The 26-year-old follows in the footsteps of Nakamura, who scored 33 goals in four seasons […]

Miyagi (Japan) (AFP) – Substitute Rafa Mir hit a hat-trick as Spain finally saw off Ivory Coast 5-2 in extra time in the Tokyo Olympics men's football on Saturday to set up a semi-final with hosts Japan. Brazil defeated Egypt 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike by Matheus Cunha and will play Mexico in the […]

Tokyo (AFP) – As global interest in women's football approaches fever pitch, former champions Japan are eyeing a return to glory with the country's first professional league for female players. A decade since winning the 2011 Women's World Cup, Japan has fallen behind, even as the sport becomes more popular and lucrative elsewhere. But the […]