Tokyo (AFP) – Andres Iniesta's floundering J-League side Vissel Kobe fired manager Miguel Angel Lotina after less than three months in charge Wednesday, with reports blaming his treatment of the former Barcelona legend. Iniesta is in danger of being relegated for the first time in his glittering career, with big-spending Vissel rooted to the bottom […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Twinkle-toed Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura has racked up another astonishing landmark by eclipsing former England great Stanley Matthews in the record books with his second professional appearance since turning 50. Miura, who last week became the first fiftysomething to grace the J-League, played in Yokohama FC's 1-1 draw against V-Varen Nagasaki on […]

Yokohama (Japan) (AFP) – Twinkle-toed former Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura celebrated his 50th birthday by starting a J-League game for Yokohama FC on Sunday, marking yet another landmark in a storied career. Miura, the oldest Japanese to play professional football, lasted 65 minutes in a 1-0 home win over second division rivals Matsumoto Yamaga as […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Former Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 50 next month, has renewed his contract with Yokohama FC, stretching his record as the oldest Japanese to play professional football. The forward, dubbed "King Kazu" by Japanese media and fans, will take his career into a remarkable 32nd season after agreeing a one-year deal, […]

Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Kashima Antlers stunned perennial chokers Urawa Reds 2-1 away Saturday to win their eighth Japanese title on away goals after an absorbing two-legged championship final. A Mu Kanazaki double crushed Urawa's dreams of a first J-League title in 2006, the striker smashing home a late penalty to complete an improbable turnaround […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Urawa Reds secured top spot in the J-League overall standings after a 1-1 home draw with Yokohama F-Marinos on Thursday, keeping alive their hopes of a domestic treble. The former Asian champions finished with 74 points over the season's two stages, two more than Kawasaki Frontale, who blew a two-goal advantage in […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds have condemned a supporter's racist tweet targeting a rival player, in the latest of a string of similar incidents. The 2007 Asian champions said the tweet, aimed at Kashima Antlers' Brazilian striker Caio, was "absolutely intolerable". The offensive tweet was posted by an apparent supporter under the handle […]

Doha (AFP) – Tomoya Ugajin's freak goal gave Urawa Red Diamonds a 1-0 win over FC Seoul and boosted their chances of reaching the AFC Champions League quarter-finals in their Round of 16 first leg on Wednesday. Ugajin was alone on the edge of the box when he received Ryota Moriwaki's raking cross, and he […]

Former Japan striker Yoshito Okubo tied the J-League scoring record as Kawasaki Frontale beat Nagoya Grampus 3-2 at home Saturday to go top of the table. Okubo bundled in a scrappy equalizer after 75 minutes to tie Hiroshima forward Hisato Sato, who set the new mark with his 158th goal last weekend. Kawasaki improved to […]