Tag - samurai

 
 

SAMURAI

Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 22, 2017
Japan falls to U.S. in World Baseball Classic semifinal
For six games, Samurai Japan came up with the big hit or made the important play. But in the crucial stanza of their seventh game at this World Baseball Classic, on a rainy Tuesday night in Southern California, the game-changing moment slipped out of the their grasp.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Mar 22, 2017
Japan playing for high stakes in World Cup double-header
Only one point separates the top four teams at the halfway stage of Japan's final qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup, and the coming week could make or break the Samurai Blue's bid to reach a sixth successive tournament.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 20, 2017
Kagawa confident Japan can cope without Hasebe
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa believes Japan has enough strength in depth to cover for Makoto Hasebe if the national team captain is forced, as expected, to sit out Thursday's World Cup qualifier away to the United Arab Emirates.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 20, 2017
Resurgent Okazaki aiming to take club form into World Cup qualifiers
Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki is hoping to carry his recent club form onto the international stage when Japan takes on the United Arab Emirates in Thursday's final-round World Cup qualifier in Al Ain.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 20, 2017
Dodgers beat Japan in WBC tune-up
O'Koyea Dickson hit a two-run, walk-off double with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers came from behind to beat Japan 3-2 in an exhibition game on Sunday.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 19, 2017
Hasebe to join Japan squad despite club's injury fears
Japan captain Makoto Hasebe will join up with the national team in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday as scheduled ahead of its crunch World Cup qualifier here, despite his German club Eintracht Frankfurt saying he would soon have to undergo knee surgery.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / HIT AND RUN
Mar 18, 2017
Backstop Kobayashi plays big role for Japan
There's a thanklessness to catching in baseball. Catchers do a lot of the dirty work, and their efforts end up being both extremely challenging and easy for the casual observer to accidentally overlook.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 16, 2017
Japan beats Israel to head to WBC semifinals with perfect record
Japan didn't need to beat Israel to qualify for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic, but it probably felt good to head to the U.S. in style.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 15, 2017
Japan to play Syria in World Cup tune-up
Japan will host Syria in a warm-up for its World Cup qualifier against Iraq in June, the Japan Football Association announced Wednesday.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 15, 2017
Humble Uchikawa happy to play pinch-hit role for Samurai Japan
Usually one of the main players for his club, Seiichi Uchikawa has been given just one at-bat per game for his country during the World Baseball Classic, as a lethal weapon coming off the bench as a pinch hitter.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 14, 2017
Kikuchi's dazzling defense turning heads during WBC
There is a chance that at least once a game, Ryosuke Kikuchi will make you stand up and go, "whoa."
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 13, 2017
Japan beats Netherlands in extra-inning thriller in second round of WBC
The World Baseball Classic is not perfect, but sometimes the competition hits all the right notes and delivers the thrilling moments that make it feel almost like October in March.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 12, 2017
Japan sweats on Hasebe's fitness after post collision
A potential headache surfaced for Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic on Saturday when his captain Makoto Hasebe suffered a shin injury during Eintracht Frankfurt's 3-0 away defeat to Bayern Munich.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 11, 2017
Samurai Japan slugger Nakata embraces aggressive approach at the plate
When a slugger swings so hard and misses, it's often a good sign.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 10, 2017
Japan cruises past China, ends first round with perfect record
Japan was already in the second round before facing China on Friday night. There was just a little unfinished business to take care of before moving on to the next round.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 9, 2017
Senga impresses in WBC debut
Just when Australia thought it was safe to get back in the batter's box, with Japan ace Tomoyuki Sugano on the bench and out of pitches, it ran into the buzz saw that is Kodai Senga.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 9, 2017
Japan beats Australia for second straight win at World Baseball Classic
The big home run that turned the tide in Japan's favor against Australia came when manager Hiroki Kokubo wasn't looking.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 8, 2017
Leader Aoki proves worth in Samurai Japan's opening win
Norichika Aoki definitely made a big contribution to Japan's 11-6 win over Cuba in their World Baseball Classic Pool B opener at Tokyo Dome on Tuesday night.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 8, 2017
Matsuda, Tsutsugo carry Japan past Cuba in WBC opener
The fans waited as Nobuhiro Matsuda rounded the bases and exchanged high-fives with his teammates. They knew what was coming, and when Matsuda pumped his fist and let out a guttural yell, as is his custom after home runs, the Japanese fans packed in Tokyo Dome exploded with enough force to knock the...
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 6, 2017
Japan ready to begin quest for WBC title
For Japan, the preparation has finally come to an end.

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'