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.

SOCCER / J. League

Nov 23, 2013

Reds' title hopes take hit

Urawa Reds all but surrendered the J. League title to Yokohama F. Marinos after a 3-1 defeat to Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Nov 21, 2013

Belgian tour provides welcome tonic for Japan

If national team manager Alberto Zaccheroni was looking for reassurance from this week's visit to Belgium, two excellent performances and results to match were a timely reminder that Japan is more than capable of making an impact at next summer's World Cup.

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Nov 13, 2013

Once-mighty Jubilo's relegation ultimately no surprise

On the surface, Jubilo Iwata's relegation to the second division may appear shocking, but in reality the former J. League powerhouse's demotion has looked inevitable all season.

SOCCER

Nov 7, 2013

Zaccheroni comes out swinging ahead of Low Countries trip

Under-fire national team manager Alberto Zaccheroni has defended his record ahead of this month's friendlies against the Netherlands and Belgium, pointing to the medals he has won during his three years in charge as evidence.

Japan Times

Rugby

Nov 3, 2013

Hansen warns All Blacks to shape up

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has warned his new-look All Blacks to stick to the game plan ahead of their tour of Europe after going rogue for periods of Saturday's 54-6 win over Japan.

Japan Times

Rugby

Nov 2, 2013

All Blacks crush Japan

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw scored a try and flyhalf Dan Carter kicked 10 points as both players returned from injury to lead New Zealand to a comfortable 54-6 win over Japan on Saturday.

SOCCER / J. League

Nov 1, 2013

Reysol's Cleo seeking Nabisco Cup final tonic after ACL exit

Kashiwa Reysol may have missed out on Asian Champions League glory this season, but on-loan striker Cleo is confident of redemption in Saturday's Nabisco Cup final against Urawa Reds.

MORE SPORTS

Oct 27, 2013

All Black absentees enjoying change of pace in Japanese league

The All Blacks are playing their first-ever away test against Japan in Tokyo on Saturday, but at club level the journey north is becoming familiar for more and more New Zealanders.

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Oct 23, 2013

Marinos poised to capture first league title since 2004 as stretch run starts

Yokohama F. Marinos may hold the advantage in the J. League title race with five games remaining, but all three of the front-running teams will be confident of lifting the trophy come the end of the season.

SOCCER / J. League

Oct 19, 2013

Saito fires Marinos by Sanfrecce

Manabu Saito struck early in the second half to put Yokohama F. Marinos in control of the J. League title race with a 1-0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Saturday.

SOCCER / J. League

Oct 5, 2013

Reds roll to comprehensive victory over Ardija

Urawa Reds got their faltering J. League title challenge back on track in emphatic style with a 4-0 win over local rivals Omiya Ardija on Saturday.

SOCCER / J. League

Oct 4, 2013

Urawa's Koroki learns significance of fan passion for Saitama derby

Urawa Reds would probably prefer not to have the added pressure of a local derby as they look to get their J. League title challenge back on track against Omiya Ardija on Saturday, but it will take more than just hostile fans to faze striker Shinzo Koroki.

SOCCER / J. League

Sep 25, 2013

Guangzhou deals crushing blow to Reysol's Asian Champions League hopes

Kashiwa Reysol suffered a second-half meltdown to leave their Asian Champions League final dream hanging by a thread after a 4-1 home defeat to Marcello Lippi's Guangzhou Evergrande in their semifinal first leg on Wednesday night.

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Sep 25, 2013

Marinos eye title after breaking clear of chasing pack

There is still plenty of life left in the J. League title race, but after opening up a four-point gap at the top of the table last weekend, Yokohama F. Marinos have taken a bold step toward their first championship in nine years.

SOCCER / J. League

Sep 21, 2013

Reds lose ground in title race after Aoyama saves point for Ventforet

Naoaki Aoyama scored in the 96th minute to rescue a precious point for Ventforet Kofu and dent Urawa Reds' J. League title hopes with a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Sep 20, 2013

J. League courting disaster with return to two-stage season

The J. League has built up a richly deserved reputation for leadership and vision since it began two decades ago, but this week's decision to revert to a two-stage championship risks setting the Japanese game back by years.

Japan Times

SOCCER

Sep 11, 2013

Honda shrugs off Milan transfer saga, keeps options open

Japan forward Keisuke Honda insists he remains as focused as ever despite missing out on a transfer to AC Milan last week, and denies a January switch to the Italian powerhouse is a foregone conclusion.

SOCCER

Sep 10, 2013

Three second-half goals carry Japan past Ghana

Manchester United star Shinji Kagawa sparked a second-half fightback as Japan came from a goal behind to beat Ghana 3-1 in a friendly on Tuesday night.

SOCCER / J. League

Sep 7, 2013

Reysol pulverize Marinos as Nelsinho makes dramatic return

Kashiwa Reysol ended a turbulent week on a resounding high with a 4-0 Nabisco Cup semifinal first-leg win over Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday.

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Sep 4, 2013

Life goes on for Reysol after Nelsinho's shock resignation

Kashiwa Reysol are still reeling from the shock resignation of manager Nelsinho last weekend, but with the club competing on four fronts heading into September, there is no time for an extended grieving period.

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

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.

Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.

By Tomoko Otake

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