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

TENNIS

Sep 18, 2008

Jankovic relishes chance to compete for top ranking

Jelena Jankovic is determined to draw strength from her U.S. Open final defeat and regain the top spot in the world rankings at this week's Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

TENNIS

Sep 17, 2008

Russian Olympians fight to stay focused after success in Beijing

Olympic gold-medal winner Elena Dementieva admits she is having trouble focusing on her game after the euphoria of Beijing, but losing finalist Dinara Safina has no such problems heading into this week's Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Sep 17, 2008

Oil wealth has big impact on Asia's soccer landscape

When the Asian Champions League began back in March, few outside of Uzbekistan had heard of Kuruvchi. Now, with the club preparing for Wednesday's Asian Champions League quarterfinals after an extraordinary summer, the world is certainly paying attention.

SOCCER

Sep 17, 2008

Engels worried about Reds making transition into ACL quarters

Urawa Reds manager Gert Engels is wary of culture shock as his side prepares to defend its Asian Champions League crown against Al Qadsia in Kuwait on Wednesday.

SOCCER / J. League

Sep 14, 2008

Oita's stifling defense frustrates host Reds

Oita Trinita frustrated Urawa Reds with a stifling defensive performance to earn a 0-0 draw and stay firmly in the J. League title hunt on Saturday.

SOCCER / J. League

Sep 14, 2008

Bosnar confident JEF United can avoid relegation

JEF United Chiba defender Eddy Bosnar is adamant his side can escape relegation from J. League Division 1, despite lying eight points adrift of safety with just 11 games of the season left to play.

SOCCER / J. League

Sep 13, 2008

Johnsen: Stojkovic's leadership key for Grampus

Nagoya Grampus striker Frode Johnsen admits he is surprised by his side's challenge for the 2008 J. League title, but is taking nothing for granted as the season moves into its final stretch.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Sep 5, 2008

Utilizing strong midfield key to success for Japan

With Japan still struggling for firepower with the final World Cup qualification round getting under way against Bahrain on Saturday night, a new wind blowing around Europe could help lighten the load.

SOCCER / J. League

Aug 28, 2008

Abe allows Reds to draw but Nagoya regains top

Yuki Abe salvaged a point for Urawa Reds with a goal deep into injury time to give his side an unlikely 1-1 draw with Tokyo Verdy on Wednesday.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Aug 24, 2008

Future looking grim for Olympic soccer

Argentina successfully defended its Athens Games gold in the Bird's Nest on Saturday, but events off the pitch have made sure little else about Olympic soccer will be the same again.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Aug 10, 2008

Nakamura's decision to stay with Celtic proved a wise move in the end

Anyone following the saga of quarterback Brett Favre could be forgiven for thinking that athletes care little for their legacy, but not all sportsmen are prepared to gamble with their reputation.

SOCCER

Aug 1, 2008

German power Bayern Munich post impressive victory over Reds

SAITAMA — Bayern Munich put a listless Urawa Reds side to the sword with a comprehensive 4-2 win in a Thursday night friendly match.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Aug 1, 2008

Sorimachi's squad faces big challenge

With its constantly changing cast and seemingly endless running time, Japan's Olympic soccer team has begun to resemble a TV soap opera.

SOCCER / World cup

Jul 30, 2008

Di Maria's goal lifts Argentina

Japan's Olympic soccer team gave itself a confidence boost with a credible performance against defending champion Argentina on Tuesday night, before a thunderstorm forced the match to be abandoned with Japan trailing 1-0.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jul 22, 2008

Big clubs' shortcomings taking shine off J. League championship race

On the face of it, a league table where just 10 points separated the top 13 teams at the halfway point of the season would suggest an exciting contest, but this year's J. League has been more infuriating than it has been enthralling.

SOCCER / J. League

Jul 17, 2008

FC Tokyo keeps Gamba out of first-place tie

FC Tokyo denied Gamba Osaka the chance to go level on points with J. League leaders Kashima Antlers with a battling 1-1 draw on Wednesday night.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jul 13, 2008

Challenges await new JFA president

As Motoaki Inukai settles into his new role as president of the Japan Football Association, he must contend with both the challenges ahead of him and the weight of the past on his shoulders.

SOCCER / J. League

Jul 6, 2008

Reds striker Tanaka shines in first league appearance since April

SAITAMA — Urawa Reds striker Tatsuya Tanaka gave national team manager Takeshi Okada food for thought as he helped his side get back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over FC Tokyo on Saturday night.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jul 3, 2008

Bold Kobe bares its teeth to show Olympic soccer is just not worth it

Clubs grumbling over international callups is nothing new, but Vissel Kobe's decision last week to deny Japan the services of striker Yoshito Okubo for the Beijing Olympics may prove to be a watershed moment.

SOCCER / J. League

Jun 29, 2008

Ota's 84th-minute tally propels Reysol to hard-earned win over Reds

A late goal from Keisuke Ota gave Kashiwa Reysol a well-deserved 2-1 win over Urawa Reds on Saturday as the J. League returned from its summer break in explosive style.

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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