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 / SOCCER SCENE

Sep 6, 2012

Japan looking to maintain high standards as Brazil beckons

Japan can take a giant step toward a fifth consecutive World Cup appearance by beating Iraq in next Tuesday's Brazil 2014 qualifier in Saitama, and if Alberto Zaccheroni's side can come anywhere close to matching its recent performances, the visitors will be in for a rough evening.

Japan Times

SOCCER / World cup

Sep 5, 2012

Young Nadeshiko stumbles in U-20 Women's World Cup semifinals

Two-time champion Germany ended Japan's bid to reach the Under-20 Women's World Cup final for the first time with a 3-0 win in Tuesday's semifinal.

SOCCER / J. League

Sep 2, 2012

Ardija rally for draw in Saitama derby

Omiya Ardija fought back from a goal down and an early red card to claim an unlikely share of the Saitama derby spoils with a 1-1 draw against Urawa Reds on Saturday night.

SOCCER / J. League

Sep 1, 2012

Yokohama defender Kurihara has big ambitions with club and country

Yuzo Kurihara may be suspended for Japan's World Cup qualifier against Iraq this month, but if the Yokohama F. Marinos defender cannot be with his teammates in body, he fully intends to be there in spirit.

Japan Times

SOCCER / J. League

Aug 26, 2012

Jubilo display impressive form in win over Reysol

Jubilo Iwata poured cold water on Kashiwa Reysol's attempts to reignite their J.League title challenge while adding fuel to their own ambitions with a 3-0 win over the defending champions on Saturday night.

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Aug 23, 2012

Slow and steady rise gives Sanfrecce upper hand in title race

There will be many more twists and turns before this season's J. League title is won, but after opening up a four-point gap at the top of the table, the balance of power is steadily shifting Sanfrecce Hiroshima's way.

SOCCER / J. League

Aug 19, 2012

Frontale work for hard-earned draw against Marinos

Kawasaki Frontale produced an inspired second-half performance to claw back a two-goal deficit and claim a 2-2 draw with Yokohama F. Marinos in a frantic Kanagawa derby on Saturday night.

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Aug 16, 2012

Olympic achievements cement Japan's place in world game

Japan's men may not have been able to emulate their female counterparts in winning a medal at the London Games, but the performance of both teams has taken the nation's soccer to a new global standing.

SOCCER / J. League

Aug 5, 2012

FC Tokyo fights to earn surprising draw against Urawa

FC Tokyo prevented Urawa Reds from making serious headway at the top of the J. League table after clawing back a two-goal halftime deficit to claim a 2-2 draw on Saturday night.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jul 26, 2012

Olympic team well placed to set record straight in London

The odds are stacked against Japan's men winning soccer gold at the London Olympics, but given the talent at manager Takashi Sekizuka's disposal, the possibility of a first medal since 1968 should not be completely discounted.

SOCCER / J. League

Jul 21, 2012

Ogasawara learned how sport can inspire in wake of tragedy

Mitsuo Ogasawara has never been a man of many words, but as the J. League takes a break from its normal schedule to host a disaster-relief charity match on Saturday, the Kashima Antlers midfielder is determined to give a voice to those still affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jul 19, 2012

Kagawa ready to rise to challenge as United career begins

Shinji Kagawa made a positive first impression at his unveiling as a Manchester United player last week, but the forward will be keen to replace words with action when he makes his debut for the Premier League giants.

SOCCER / J. League

Jul 15, 2012

Vissel earn tie against Ardija

Vissel Kobe continued their revival under manager Akira Nishino as substitute Yuzo Tashiro pounced to claim a 2-2 draw with Omiya Ardija on Saturday.

Japan Times

OLYMPICS

Jul 13, 2012

Tuneups good tests for Japan teams

Japan Olympic men's soccer team manager Takashi Sekizuka has warned his players their stay in London will be short-lived unless they show more imagination than they did in Wednesday's 1-1 final home warmup draw with New Zealand.

SOCCER / World cup

Jul 12, 2012

Nadeshiko Japan outclasses Australia; Japan men draw against New Zealand

Japan's women set off in search of Olympic soccer gold with a spring in their step after beating Australia 3-0 on Wednesday, but their male counterparts were left frustrated after conceding an injury-time equalizer to draw 1-1 with New Zealand in their final home warmup games.

SOCCER / J. League

Jul 8, 2012

Grampus bring Reysol back down to earth

Nagoya Grampus checked Kashiwa Reysol's rise up the J. League table with a 2-1 win over the surging defending champions on Saturday night.

SOCCER / J. League

Jul 1, 2012

Nagai maintains form as Grampus earn draw

Kensuke Nagai extended his red-hot scoring streak with an equalizer seven minutes from time to salvage a 1-1 draw for Nagoya Grampus against Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday.

Japan Times

SOCCER / World cup

Jun 10, 2012

Zaccheroni confident after rout of Jordan

National team manager Alberto Zaccheroni believes Japan can live with any team in the world after scoring nine goals without reply in its opening two games of the final round of qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup.

SOCCER / World cup

Jun 9, 2012

Honda scores hat trick in Japan rout over Jordan

Japan took control of its 2014 World Cup qualifying group in ferocious style with a 6-0 win over Jordan on Friday to claim maximum points from two games on the road to Brazil.

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jun 7, 2012

Impressive victory puts Japan in good shape for Jordan clash

National team manager Alberto Zaccheroni will take nothing for granted in Friday's World Cup qualifier against Jordan, but if Japan can build on last weekend's impressive 3-0 win over Oman, three more points should follow.

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

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