Tag - samurai-blue

 
 

SAMURAI BLUE

Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 29, 2022
1990 World Cup winner Lothar Matthaus expects Germany to beat Japan
The 61-year-old former West Germany great urged 'Die Mannschaft' to focus on themselves ahead of their opener against the Samurai Blue on Nov. 23 at Khalifa International Stadium.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jun 21, 2022
Japan to face United States in September friendly in Europe
The Samurai Blue will take on their U.S. counterparts for the first time since a February 2006 friendly in San Francisco.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jun 16, 2022
Japan may need to head back to drawing board before World Cup
In Group E, along with powerhouses Germany and Spain, Japan can only expect to see as much time on the ball as it did against Tunisia when it faces Costa Rica in its second match.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 15, 2022
Hajime Moriyasu calls Costa Rica a tough World Cup opponent for Japan
Japan's head coach said his team will not take the Central American qualifiers lightly when they meet in their second group-stage match on Nov. 27.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jun 15, 2022
Japan handed World Cup wakeup call in loss to Tunisia
The Samurai Blue, 23rd in the FIFA rankings, wasted several first-half chances before conceding twice from defensive errors by captain Maya Yoshida against the 35th-ranked North Africans.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jun 7, 2022
Spirited defense against Brazil offers Japan hope for success in Qatar
Monday's narrow loss showed the Samurai Blue's back line can endure against some of the world's best players, even if the team is still looking for a reliable attacking spark.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jun 6, 2022
Brazil narrowly beats Japan through late Neymar penalty
The Samurai Blue held out until the 77th minute, when the Paris Saint-Germain star stutter-stepped his way to the penalty spot before chipping the ball past Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda.
Japan Times
SOCCER
May 29, 2022
Rising Samurai Blue star Kaoru Mitoma targets World Cup starting spot
The 25-year-old winger scored twice against the Socceroos after coming off the bench late at Sydney's Stadium Australia, staking his claim to a bigger role for the national team.
Japan Times
SOCCER
May 20, 2022
Stuttgart's Hiroki Ito gets first call-up as Japan reveals squad for upcoming matches
New Europa League winner Daichi Kamada of Eintracht Frankfurt gets a recall alongside AZ Alkmaar defender Yukinari Sugawara and Sanfrecce Hiroshima goalkeeper Keisuke Osako.
Japan Times
SOCCER
May 18, 2022
Japan captain Yoshida seeks to exorcise 'ghosts' and reach last eight
Japan will face a challenging World Cup group in Qatar, but the Sampdoria defender is eager to write history and send his country into the quarterfinals for the first time.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Apr 27, 2022
Samurai Blue to play Brazil in June friendly ahead of World Cup
Japan's first game at the rebuilt National Stadium will come against the reigning world No. 1 team.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Apr 8, 2022
Andres Iniesta pulling for Japan and Spain to advance in World Cup
The Samurai Blue are long shots to advance to the knockout stage from a group that also includes four-time champion Germany.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup / From the Spot
Apr 3, 2022
Ultimate test awaits Samurai Blue after 'Group of Death' draw
While Japan will face a daunting challenge in a group featuring former World Cup champions Germany and Spain, the high-profile games may be exactly what the team needs.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Mar 29, 2022
Uneven Japan concludes qualifying campaign with draw against Vietnam
Captain Maya Yoshida's equalizer spared the home team blushes as they began to look ahead to November's main event in Qatar.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup / From the Spot
Mar 25, 2022
Battle-tested Samurai Blue eager for deep World Cup push
After perhaps the most unconventional, daunting and frustrating qualifying campaign in team history, Samurai Blue have qualified for a seventh straight FIFA World Cup.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Mar 24, 2022
Sydney stunner: Late Kaoru Mitoma brace sends Japan to World Cup
Despite outshooting the Socceroos on a waterlogged Stadium Australia pitch, Hajime Moriyasu's men failed to make the most of their chances until substitute Mitoma's star turn.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Mar 20, 2022
Japan squad arrives in Australia for World Cup qualifier
The Samurai Blue can book their ticket to a seventh straight World Cup with victory over the hosts at Stadium Australia on Thursday in their penultimate Asian Group B qualifier.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Feb 2, 2022
Takumi Minamino and Junya Ito gave Japan vital win over Saudi Arabia
The Samurai Blue moved up to 18 points, one behind Saudi Arabia, and can clinch their seventh straight berth at the finals by beating third-place Australia.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Feb 1, 2022
Japan needs a win in pivotal match against Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia on 19 points can clinch their final berth with a win, while second-place Japan know failure to get three points could see them overtaken by Australia.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jan 28, 2022
Japan beats China to remain second in World Cup qualifying group
The win at Saitama Stadium kept manager Hajime Moriyasu's side second in the group with 15 points from seven games.

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