Andrew MCKIRDY - The Japan Times

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Andrew MCKIRDY

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Andrew MCKIRDY

Andrew McKirdy is a sports writer for The Japan Times. His main beat is soccer, but he has also covered rugby, tennis, volleyball, golf and even tug-of-war. A native of the Scottish Borders, he has written for The Scotsman newspaper and organized filming for a program on Japanese soccer for ITV television.

Japan Times

SOCCER

Apr 27, 2018

Vahid Halilhodzic says firing was a 'shock'

Former national team manager Vahid Halilhodzic insisted Friday that he still had not "found out the truth" as to why he was fired two months before he was set to lead Japan at the World Cup.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Apr 24, 2018

IOC to remain 'politically neutral' toward North Korea's involvement in 2020 Tokyo Olympics: vice president

International Olympic Committee Vice President John Coates stressed Tuesday that the IOC will remain "politically neutral" toward North Korea's participation at the 2020 Tokyo Games and will not try to force the government to accept non-sporting visitors.

SOCCER / J. League

Apr 21, 2018

Frontale heap misery on Antlers once again

Defending J. League champions Kawasaki Frontale rubbed more salt into Kashima Antlers' wounds with a resounding 4-1 win over last season's runners-up on Saturday.

Japan Times

Rugby

Apr 14, 2018

Blues drop Sunwolves to 0-7

The Sunwolves let an early lead slip through their fingers to remain winless after seven games of the Super Rugby season after a 24-10 defeat to New Zealand's Blues on Saturday.

Japan Times

SOCCER

Apr 12, 2018

New manager Akira Nishino has big ambitions for national team

New national soccer team manager Akira Nishino believes Japan is capable of making an impact at this summer's World Cup despite taking over just two months before the tournament begins.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Apr 11, 2018

JFA breaking character with big World Cup risk

Rumors that Vahid Halilhodzic was on the brink of being fired as Japan manager dogged the Bosnian for almost as long as he was in the job, but it was still a major surprise to see the Japan Football Association push him over the edge this week.

Japan Times

SOCCER / World cup

Apr 9, 2018

Japan names Akira Nishino to replace Vahid Halilhodzic just two months before World Cup

Akira Nishino will lead Japan at this summer's World Cup in Russia after the Japan Football Association confirmed Monday that it had fired manager Vahid Halilhodzic just two months before the tournament begins.

SOCCER / J. League

Apr 7, 2018

Reds hold off Vegalta to record first J. League victory of season

Asian champions Urawa Reds finally picked up their first win of the J. League season after beating Vegalta Sendai 1-0 on Saturday in caretaker manager Tsuyoshi Otsuki's first league game in charge.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 28, 2018

Tokyo 2020 Olympics to start accepting 'passionate' volunteers from September

Tokyo 2020 Olympic organizers plan to start recruiting 80,000 volunteers for the games from September, but warned Wednesday that only those who can handle the workload will be taken on.

Japan Times

Rugby

Mar 24, 2018

Chiefs crush winless Sunwolves

The Sunwolves failed to pick up their first win of the Super Rugby season on Saturday in a 61-10 thrashing by New Zealand's Chiefs.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Mar 21, 2018

Halilhodzic leaves door open as World Cup draws closer

Japan's squad for this summer's World Cup appears to be taking shape, but don't bet against manager Vahid Halilhodzic ripping up the blueprint before he submits it in time for the June 4 deadline.

SOCCER

Mar 15, 2018

Halilhodzic reveals roster for upcoming friendlies

National team manager Vahid Halilhodzic on Thursday warned World Cup qualifying heroes Takuma Asano and Yosuke Ideguchi to force their way onto their club teams or risk missing out on this summer's tournament in Russia as he named his squad for two friendly matches in Europe.

SOCCER / J. League

Mar 10, 2018

Sagan keep Marinos winless

Sagan Tosu beat Yokohama F. Marinos 2-1 on Saturday to keep former Australia manager Ange Postecoglou waiting for his first J. League win.

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Mar 7, 2018

Surprise names fly out blocks with two wins

A good start can be a precious commodity in the J. League, and the three teams with perfect records after two games of the new season will be satisfied with their work so far.

Japan Times

Rugby

Mar 3, 2018

Rebels stick it to Sunwolves

The Sunwolves fell to their second defeat of the Super Rugby season on Saturday after collapsing early in the second half in a 37-17 loss to Australia's Rebels.

SOCCER / J. League

Feb 22, 2018

Sagan, Vissel meet in opener as teams aim for Frontale's crown

The 2018 J. League season kicks off with just one fixture on Friday, but every club in the 18-team division will get the chance to throw down the gauntlet to defending champions Kawasaki Frontale before the weekend is over.

Japan Times

SOCCER / J. League

Feb 21, 2018

'No regrets' as Ange Postecoglou swaps World Cup for J. League challenge with Marinos

New Yokohama F. Marinos manager Ange Postecoglou has "no regrets" about quitting Australia's national team just months before the World Cup and is looking forward to testing his mettle in the J. League instead.

Japan Times

OLYMPICS

Feb 7, 2018

Metro government says Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic venue construction on schedule

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is building seven new permanent venues for the games, including the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza badminton and modern pentathlon fencing arena.

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Jan 31, 2018

J. League teams gearing up for early season start

With the J. League preparing for its earliest-ever opening to a season, teams around the league are busy putting in the work ahead of the Feb. 23 kickoff.

Japan Times

Rugby

Jan 17, 2018

Wales hoping to win new friends at Rugby World Cup

The Wales national rugby team wants to "do more than just turn up, have a great time and then disappear" during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, and plans to forge a lasting relationship with the city of Kitakyushu.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.

The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan

By Johan Brooks

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Yamagata’s Zao Onsen Ski Resort is a classic beauty

Yamagata’s Zao Onsen Ski Resort is a classic beauty

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