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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 / SOCCER SCENE
Nov 12, 2014
Aguirre's experiments on back burner as Asian Cup looms
Japan manager Javier Aguirre is running out of time to build a team for January's Asian Cup, but the Mexican will hope that the return of several familiar faces for two friendlies over the coming week can provide instant solutions.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Nov 8, 2014
Gamba win Nabisco Cup
Gamba Osaka lifted the Nabisco Cup after coming from two goals down to beat Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-2 on Saturday, stoking hopes of a trophy treble.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Nov 2, 2014
S-Pulse stay afloat by beating Frontale
Substitute Kazuya Murata injected dramatic new life into Shimizu S-Pulse's J1 survival bid with a 90th-minute goal to seal a 3-2 win over Kawasaki Frontale on Sunday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Oct 29, 2014
Urawa, Gamba break clear of pack
Stranger things have happened in the J. League, but with four games of the season remaining, the title race is now almost certainly down to two teams.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 26, 2014
Cerezo, Marinos settle for scoreless draw
Cerezo Osaka failed to seize the initiative in their fight against relegation after being held to a 0-0 draw by Yokohama F. Marinos on Sunday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 18, 2014
Antlers squander lead twice in defeat to Reysol
Kashima Antlers wasted a glorious chance to make up ground in the J. League title race after twice throwing away a lead before conceding in the 90th minute to lose 3-2 to Kashiwa Reysol on Saturday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Oct 8, 2014
Aguirre focuses on team building
Javier Aguirre will be looking for positive performances in Japan's friendlies against Jamaica and Brazil over the coming week, but after failing to register a win in his first two games as manager, positive results would be even more welcome.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Oct 1, 2014
Leading group sheds makeweights as season gets down to nitty-gritty
The last few weeks have whittled down the list of genuine contenders for this year's J. League title, but choosing a winner with eight games left is still far from straightforward.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Sep 23, 2014
Struggling Sagan Tosu fall nine points behind Urawa Reds in standings
Sagan Tosu lost further ground in the J. League title race after a 2-0 defeat to Kashiwa Reysol on Tuesday night left them nine points adrift of leaders Urawa Reds.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 18, 2014
Japan coach Jones says team sets target of reaching 2015 Rugby World Cup quarterfinals
National rugby team head coach Eddie Jones believes Japan can reach the quarterfinals of next year's Rugby World Cup by flummoxing the opposition with "samurai eyes and ninja bodies."
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Sep 15, 2014
Kagawa capable of making most of fresh start at Dortmund
It cannot have been easy for Shinji Kagawa to leave Manchester United, but if his performance in his first game since returning to Borussia Dortmund is anything to go by, the move is definitely in his best interests.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 10, 2014
Aguirre urges Samurai Blue to play with more imagination
National team manager Javier Aguirre has urged his players to think for themselves after watching his new side fail to register a win in his first two games in charge.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 10, 2014
Aguirre urges Japan to play with more imagination
National team manager Javier Aguirre has urged his players to think for themselves after watching his new side fail to register a win in his first two games in charge.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 9, 2014
Japan squanders lead twice in draw with Venezuela
Japan twice took the lead but failed to deliver a first win for new manager Javier Aguirre in a 2-2 friendly draw with Venezuela on Tuesday night.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Sep 3, 2014
Aguirre ready to start work rebuilding Japan from scratch
Japan begins a new era on Friday night as manager Javier Aguirre leads the team out for the first time, and if first impressions of the Mexican are anything to go by, the next four years should be an interesting journey.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Aug 30, 2014
Reds trounce Ardija, increase lead atop J. League table
J. League front-runners Urawa Reds thrashed relegation-threatened local rivals Omiya Ardija 4-0 on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Aug 28, 2014
Aguirre shakes up Japan national squad lineup for upcoming friendlies
New national team manager Javier Aguirre warned Japan's World Cup flops that their reputations will count for nothing as he named his first squad on Thursday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jul 31, 2014
Star Neymar eager to shine in upcoming season
Brazil and Barcelona star Neymar insists he has almost recovered from the injury that ended his World Cup dream, and is raring to go for the new club season.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Jul 27, 2014
Reds surrender first goal in 660 minutes in draw with Antlers
Urawa Reds saw their record run of clean sheets come to an end but stayed on top the J. League table after a 1-1 draw with Kashima Antlers on Saturday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jul 25, 2014
Nishimura doesn't dwell on World Cup controversy
World Cup referee Yuichi Nishimura has shrugged off the controversy that surrounded his decision to award Brazil a penalty in the tournament's opening game, but admitted that being a referee is no easy task.

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