Tag - samurai

 
 

SAMURAI

Iran's Mehdi Taremi celebrates after scoring against Syria during their Asian Cup match in Doha on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Feb 1, 2024
Iran promises to be 'more united' against Japan in Asian Cup quarterfinals
Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi said he saw Iran being dragged through extra time and penalties will make the team stronger for its match with Japan.
Japan's Wataru Endo (right) and Bahrain's Mohamed Al-Hardan vie for the ball during their Asian Cup match in Doha on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Feb 1, 2024
Wataru Endo warns Japan about road ahead after reaching Asian Cup quarterfinals
Questions remain for Hajime Moriyasu's side, which was the tournament favorite but has yet to keep a clean sheet in four games in Qatar.
Japan players celebrate after Ayase Ueda scored the team's second goal during Samurai Blue's win over Indonesia on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Jan 24, 2024
Japan cruises past Indonesia to reach Asian Cup last 16
Ayase Ueda struck in each half to go with a late Indonesia own goal in Doha to send the pre-tournament favorites through as group runners-up behind Iraq.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma (left) in action with Crystal Palace's Nathaniel Clyne at Selhurtst Park, London, on Dec. 21. Mitoma has not played since hurting his ankle in the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
SOCCER
Jan 23, 2024
'Worry' for Japan as Mitoma misses training ahead of Asian Cup clash
The Brighton winger has not played since hurting his ankle in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Dec. 21.
Japan's Zion Suzuki (top) and Yukinari Sugawara (bottom) in action with Iraq's Youssef Amyn in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Friday.
SOCCER
Jan 23, 2024
Japan goalkeeper racially abused online after Asian Cup errors
The news comes after two instances of racist abuse directed at players in Italy and England during matches.
Iraq's Ahmed Yahya (left) and Japan's Ritsu Doan fight for the ball during their match at the Asian Cup on Friday.
SOCCER
Jan 22, 2024
Physical Arab teams taking fight to heavyweights at Asian Cup
Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta said "Arab teams playing on Arab turf" in Qatar must take the fight to their opponents.
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu will be wary of making too many changes after admitting that his tinkering against Iraq "had an effect on the players."
SOCCER
Jan 20, 2024
Shock Iraq defeat exposes Japan frailties at Asian Cup
The 2-1 loss leaves Samurai Blue facing a potential last-16 match with South Korea, assuming Japan still qualifies from its group.
Japan midfielder Takumi Minamino (8) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the team's win over Vietnam on Sunday at the Asian Cup in Doha.
SOCCER
Jan 14, 2024
Japan survives Vietnam scare to start Asian Cup title bid
Vietnam, which is coached by Japan's 2000 Asian Cup-winning boss Philippe Troussier, gave the Samurai Blue everything they could handle on Sunday.
Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo during a Champions League match in San Sebastian, Spain, in September.
SOCCER
Jan 13, 2024
Ex-Barcelona junior Kubo set for lift-off with Japan at Asian Cup
The 22-year-old has found his feet at Real Sociedad this season, scoring six goals and helping the club top its Champions League group.
Kaoru Mitoma in action during the World Cup in Qatar in December 2022. Mitoma's availability for the Asian Cup, which begins Friday, is uncertain due to an injury.
SOCCER
Jan 11, 2024
Samurai Blue the favorites as Asian Cup kicks off
Samurai Blue manager Hajime Moriyasu's team has enjoyed a strong year since, losing only once in 12 matches and winning 4-1 in Germany in a friendly.
Japan midfielder Kaoru Mitoma controls the ball during extra time of the team's Round of 16 match against Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Mitoma was named to the Samurai Blue squad for the upcoming Asian Cup despite an ankle injury.
SOCCER
Jan 4, 2024
Samurai Blue call on Mitoma to help erase Asian Cup 'frustration'
Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi said late last year that Mitoma would be out for up to six weeks after hurting his ankle in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Dec. 21.
SOCCER
Dec 8, 2023
Japan must 'deal with anything' at Asian Cup, Moriyasu says
The Samurai Blue are one of the favorites for the tournament in Qatar, which kicks off on Jan. 12.
BASEBALL
Nov 20, 2023
Hirokazu Ibata passes first test with Samurai Japan
Japan went through the Asia Professional Baseball Championship with a 4-0 record.
BASEBALL
Nov 19, 2023
Japan tops South Korea on sayonara single in 10th to win APBC title
Japan edged South Korea on a walk-off hit by Makoto Kadowaki.
BASEBALL
Nov 18, 2023
Japan routs Australia in Asia Professional Baseball Championship
Japan routed Australia to improve to 3-0.
BASEBALL
Nov 16, 2023
Samurai Japan overcomes slow start to beat Taiwan in APBC opener
Shota Morishita got Japan going with a home run in the seventh inning.
South Korea's head coach Jurgen Klinsmann (center) speaks to his players during a training session at Mokdong Stadium on Nov. 13, ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifying match between South Korea and Singapore.
SOCCER
Nov 14, 2023
Warning for Japan as Asian heavyweights begin World Cup qualifying
A record eight direct spots and one intercontinental playoff berth are up for grabs for Asian Football Confederation sides at the expanded event in 2026.
By the finale, I had completely bought into Samurai Restaurant Time's spectacle — a neon-lit festival with chants and cheers.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Nov 12, 2023
Samurai Restaurant Time gives kitschy thrills fit for Kabukicho
To replace the defunct Robot Restaurant, the neon-soaked streets of Kabukicho are serving up a kitschy second course.
North Korea's Kim Kyong Sok (center) reacts after the men's quarterfinal football match between North Korea and Japan at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sunday.
SOCCER
Oct 2, 2023
North Korean soccer players clash with referee after loss to Japan
North Korea captain Jang Kuk Chol and teammate Kim Kyong Sok remonstrated heatedly with referee Rustam Lutfullin.

Longform

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