Tag - samurai-blue

 
 

SAMURAI BLUE

Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Jun 11, 2014
Japan ready to make experience count at fifth World Cup
Japanese soccer can be rightfully proud of the progress it has made as the national team prepares to begin its fifth straight World Cup campaign, but no one in the squad will be happy just to take part.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 11, 2014
'Keeper Kawashima not worried about World Cup ball
Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima was one of several players to put the boot in on the World Cup ball in South Africa four years ago, but the Standard Liege custodian says he has no such worries about the "Brazuca" to be used at the Brazil tournament kicking off on Thursday.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Jun 5, 2014
Cheer on the Samurai Blue at events across the country
It may be nicknamed the "beautiful game," but these days it can sometimes be hard to see soccer as anything but ugly.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 4, 2014
Captain Hasebe welcomes competition for places
Japan captain Makoto Hasebe on Tuesday warned his teammates not to take their positions for granted and said he welcomed the heated competition for places in the team ahead of the World Cup finals in Brazil.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 4, 2014
Greece wary of Japan's World Cup threat
Greek hero Giorgos Karagounis is wary of what his former club coach and current Japan manager Alberto Zaccheroni may plot when the two sides clash at the World Cup in Natal on June 19.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Jun 4, 2014
Comeback win lifts confidence as Japan prepares for Brazil
National team manager Alberto Zaccheroni was looking for improvement in his players' physical condition in Monday's friendly against Costa Rica, but the mental boost they received from their 3-1 win could turn out to be even more important.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 1, 2014
Yoshida eyes England showdown at World Cup
Southampton central defender Maya Yoshida admits he is excited by the prospect of Japan playing England in the second round of the World Cup finals, but reckons Roy Hodgson's men could find it difficult to progress from the group phase.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 1, 2014
Honda restates World Cup title ambition
AC Milan attacker Keisuke Honda on Saturday reasserted his claim that Japan has the potential to win the World Cup in Brazil, and says he will play as though it is his last appearance in global soccer's showcase tournament.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
May 28, 2014
Zaccheroni insists Japan will hit stride at World Cup
National team manager Alberto Zaccheroni is confident his side can shape up in time for the World Cup but admits the Blue Samurai are currently running on empty.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
May 21, 2014
Kagawa's focus on World Cup, not new Manchester United manager
Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa was unfazed by new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal's appointment as he and the players had known the Dutchman would take over at Old Trafford next season.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
May 17, 2014
Kagawa eager to get to Brazil
Manchester United players were seeking refuge and relief in the World Cup as their hopeless season dragged on, Japanese international Shinji Kagawa said on Saturday.
SOCCER
Dec 12, 2013
Japan to open 2014 against New Zealand
Japan will kick off the World Cup year with a home friendly to New Zealand in March followed by a send-off in May against an unnamed team, the Japan Football Association announced on Thursday.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jul 22, 2013
Japan's EAC opener against China ends in 3-3 draw
Samurai Blue squanders a two-goal advantage and is held to a 3-3 draw by China in its East Asian Cup opener in South Korea.
CULTURE / Japan Pulse
Jun 11, 2013
Japan by the numbers (06.11.13)
Who would read every book in a series of 70? One in four Japanese people in their 20s, according to one poll. There's more where that came from.
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 5, 2013
Japan vs. Australia ... storified in social media
In a penalty kick second, Samurai Blue became the first team to qualify for next year's World Cup. Here's a collection of fans' reactions on social media, curated by Mai Hasabe, Eric Ruble and co.

Longform

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