Soccer Sep 11, 2013

Honda shrugs off Milan transfer saga, keeps options open

by Andrew Mckirdy

Japan forward Keisuke Honda insists he remains as focused as ever despite missing out on a transfer to AC Milan last week, and denies a January switch to the Italian powerhouse is a foregone conclusion. Honda, who scored Japan’s third goal in a 3-1 ...

Soccer Sep 10, 2013

Three second-half goals carry Japan past Ghana

by Andrew Mckirdy

Manchester United star Shinji Kagawa sparked a second-half fightback as Japan came from a goal behind to beat Ghana 3-1 in a friendly on Tuesday night. Frank Acheampong sent the West Africans into halftime with a shock lead at Nissan Stadium after opening the ...

Soccer Sep 6, 2013

Determined Japan eases past Guatemala

CSKA Moscow star Keisuke Honda was on target as Japan got back on the winning track with a comfortable 3-0 win over Guatemala in a friendly in Osaka on Friday night. Honda came off the bench to head Japan into a 50th-minute lead and ...

Soccer Aug 14, 2013

Uruguay too much for Japan in friendly

by Gus Fielding

Diego Forlan gave Yoichiro Kakitani a lesson in the art of finishing as the veteran Internacional striker scored a quick-fire double to help Uruguay outclass Japan 4-2 in a friendly in Miyagi on Wednesday night. All Japanese eyes were on Kakitani aiming to become ...

Language | BILINGUAL Jun 17, 2013

Thoughts of rice and Japanese men

by Kaori Shoji

If you’re like me or the men in my life, you probably broke down and wept for joy on June 4, when Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda scored the goal that bagged Japan’s slot in the FIFA World Cup next year. At such sports events, ...

J. League Jun 11, 2013

Honda doubtful for final qualifier

Keisuke Honda became the nation’s hero last week after sending Japan through to next year’s World Cup with an injury-time penalty against Australia. But the CSKA Moscow man may have paid a price as he has been unable to train with the team since ...

Soccer Jun 6, 2013

Zaccheroni relieved after deciding against Honda switch

by Andrew Mckirdy

National team manager Alberto Zaccheroni admits he was thinking about substituting Keisuke Honda shortly before the star forward booked Japan’s ticket to the 2014 World Cup with a 91st-minute penalty in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Australia. Japan became the first team to reach next ...

World Cup Jun 5, 2013

Japan becomes first to qualify for World Cup after Honda equalizer

by Andrew Mckirdy

Keisuke Honda scores a dramatic injury-time penalty to book Japan's place at the 2014 World Cup after a breathless 1-1 draw with Australia on Tuesday night.

World Cup | SOCCER SCENE Mar 21, 2013

Strength in depth gives Japan chance to clinch World Cup place

by Andrew Mckirdy

National team manager Alberto Zaccheroni will be without two of his most important players when Japan attempts to book its ticket to the 2014 World Cup against Jordan next Tuesday, but the Italian still has enough quality in reserve to get the job done. ...