Tag - samurai-blue

 
 

SAMURAI BLUE

Japan's Wataru Endo (center) in action with China's Wenneng Xie and Shangyuan Wang during a 2026 World Cup qualification clash in Xiamen, China, on Tuesday
SOCCER
Nov 20, 2024
Ruthless Japan beats China to move to brink of World Cup qualification
The game was briefly stopped in the first half when a fan invaded the pitch.
China's Lin Liangming (left) and Zhang Yuning (second from left) vie for the ball against Indonesia's Jay Idzes in Qingdao, China, on Oct. 15.
SOCCER
Nov 18, 2024
China preparing to host Japan in World Cup qualifier
The strength of China's recovery will be challenged when Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu leads the runaway Group C leader into Xiamen.
Japan's Koki Ogawa (left) fights for the ball with Indonesia's Rizky Ridho Ramadhan during the 2026 World Cup Asian qualification soccer match at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Friday.
SOCCER / World cup
Nov 16, 2024
Japan hammer Indonesia to edge closer to World Cup spot
Japan defeated a hapless Indonesia side 4-0 on Friday, extending their lead at the top of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu (left) and captain Wataru Endo speak during a news conference before the team's World Cup qualifier against Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday.
SOCCER
Nov 15, 2024
Liverpool's Wataru Endo praises Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu's flexibility
Endo dismissed concerns that his lack of playing time for Liverpool will have a negative impact on his influence for Japan.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu called up Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi for the first time in a year ahead of the team's upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
SOCCER
Nov 14, 2024
Japan looking to move closer to berth in 2026 World Cup
With the third Asian qualifying round nearing the halfway point, Japan is five points clear at the top of Group C.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu prior to a World Cup qualifying match against Australia on Tuesday in Saitama.
SOCCER
Oct 16, 2024
Hajime Moriyasu frustrated after Australia end Japan's winning run
Japan had won all nine of their preliminaries for the 2026 tournament without conceding a goal until Shogo Taniguchi sliced the ball into his own net on Tuesday.
Japan's Ayase Ueda (left) and Australia's Patrick Yazbek compete for the ball during World Cup qualifying action on Tuesday in Saitama.
SOCCER
Oct 16, 2024
Japan fights back to secure draw with Australia in World Cup qualifying
Australia had never beaten Japan on Japanese soil but a Shogo Taniguchi own goal gave the home side a shock before Samurai Blue earned a draw.
Australia's Kye Rowles (right) vies for the ball against Argentina's Lionel Messi during a friendly in Beijing on June 15, 2023.
SOCCER
Oct 14, 2024
Australia looking to 'flip the script' with first win in Japan
Japan is the leading team in Asia at 16th in the FIFA rankings and tops qualifying Group C with a perfect three victories, scoring 14 goals and conceding none.
Former Japan player Tadanari Lee believes Samurai Blue's victory over Australia in the 2011 Asian Cup final represented a major shift in the rivalry between the two nations.
SOCCER
Oct 13, 2024
Japan and Australia set to write latest chapter of fast-growing rivalry
This will be the fifth consecutive time the teams have been grouped together in the decisive round of qualifiers for the quadrennial showpiece.
Japan's Daichi Kamada (right) vies for the ball against Saudi Arabia midfielder Abdulelah Al-Malki during their World Cup qualifying match in Jeddah on Thursday.
SOCCER
Oct 11, 2024
Japan looks to Australia and beyond after beating Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifier
Samurai Blue are five points clear at the top of Group C, with the top two teams securing direct passage to the 2026 World Cup.
Japan's Koki Ogawa shoots at the Bahrain goal during a World Cup qualifying match in Riffa, Bahrain, on Tuesday.
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 11, 2024
Japan coach slams Bahrain fans after World Cup qualifying rout
Japan won 5-0 in Manama to continue their impressive start to the Asian qualifying third round, following last week's 7-0 home thrashing of China.
Samurai Blue players celebrate after Wataru Endo's opening goal of the team's World Cup qualifying win over China on Thursday in Saitama.
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 6, 2024
Japan hammers China as next round of World Cup qualifying begins
Japan was in blistering form as Samurai Blue handed out an embarrassing defeat to an out-classed China.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu announces his squad for upcoming World Cup qualifying matches, on Aug. 29 in the city of Chiba.
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 4, 2024
Japan favored in next World Cup qualifying stage, but history gives pause
At this stage, the Samurai Blue lost 1-0 at home to Oman three years ago and also went down 2-1 to the UAE in front of their own fans ahead of the 2018 tournament.
Japan midfielder Yu Hirakawa controls the ball during a match against the United States in Kansas City, Kansas, on June 11.
OLYMPICS
Jul 23, 2024
Japan eyes gold — and the future — as Olympic men's soccer campaign begins
With the squad being the only one in Paris not to feature any overage players, it is clear that this competition is partly about building for the future.
Japan forward Mao Hosoya controls the ball during a game against the United States in Kansas City, Kansas, on June 11.
OLYMPICS
Jul 3, 2024
Japan goes with all U-23 men's soccer squad for Paris Olympics
Veterans like Liverpool’s Wataru Endo, 31, had been rumored as possible options to supplement the 18-man squad, but instead Japan will be counting on youth in Paris.
Sanfrecce have attracted more than 25,000 fans to each of their J. League games at the spectacular Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima since it opened in February.
SOCCER / J. League
Jun 23, 2024
Sanfrecce feeling right at home at shiny new stadium in Hiroshima
The soccer club's new home has helped the team attract more than 25,000 fans to each J1 game in the baseball-mad city.
South Korea's Son Heung-min (right) fights for the ball with China's Yang Zexiang during a World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday in Seoul.
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 12, 2024
China keeps World Cup qualifying hopes alive despite South Korea defeat
Japan, meanwhile, cruised past Syria as it completed its dominance of Group B.
Makoto Hasebe (top) celebrates with his Japan team mates after qualifying for the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in Rustenburg, South Africa, in June 2010. Hasebe captained the Samurai Blue in three consecutive World Cups.
SOCCER
May 14, 2024
Makoto Hasebe bows out at the top, on his own terms
With 114 Japan caps and more than 380 Bundesliga appearances, the player has earned an almost legendary status.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu's squad will face the United States in Kansas City ahead of the Paris Olympics.
SOCCER
May 13, 2024
U.S. to face Japan in final tuneup for Paris Olympics
The United States men's Olympic soccer team will play its final warmup against Japan in Kansas City ahead of the tournament in France in July.
Japan players celebrate after beating Uzbekistan in the final of the Under-23 Asian Cup in Doha on Friday.
SOCCER
May 4, 2024
Kokubo's injury time penalty save secures Under-23 Asian Cup for Japan
Kokubo dived to his right to keep out Umarali Rakhmanaliev's spot kick to give Japan its second under-23 title since 2016.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?