Andrew MCKIRDY - The Japan Times

November 01, 2025

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Andrew MCKIRDY

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Andrew MCKIRDY

Andrew McKirdy is a sports writer for The Japan Times. His main beat is soccer, but he has also covered rugby, tennis, volleyball, golf and even tug-of-war. A native of the Scottish Borders, he has written for The Scotsman newspaper and organized filming for a program on Japanese soccer for ITV television.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

May 30, 2008

With trip to 2010 World Cup on line, time for Okada to be assertive

If national team manager Takeshi Okada has learned one thing from his side's recent Kirin Cup matches, it must be to trust his own instincts.

SOCCER / World cup

May 28, 2008

Nakamura unable to give Japan scoring spark in return

Shunsuke Nakamura's return to international action was not enough to inspire Japan to victory as Takeshi Okada's men labored to a 0-0 draw with Paraguay on Tuesday night.

SOCCER / World cup

May 25, 2008

Tamada's 21st-minute tally gives Japan victory over Cote d'Ivoire

Japan got its warm-up for next month's crucial World Cup qualifiers off to a successful start with an impressive 1-0 win over Cote d'Ivoire on Saturday.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

May 22, 2008

Spontaneous stupidity sparked violence after match

The shocking scenes of violence after last week's match between Urawa Reds and Gamba Osaka were a worrying development for the J. League, but that does not mean an era of Japanese hooliganism is dawning.

SOCCER / J. League

May 18, 2008

Gamba win marred by unruly behavior

SAITAMA — Ugly scenes on the pitch and in the stands marred Gamba Osaka's 3-2 win over Urawa Reds on Saturday.

SOCCER / J. League

May 16, 2008

Okada unveils Kirin Cup squad

Japan manager Takeshi Okada called up Celtic playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura for the first time Thursday as he prepares for June's do-or-die World Cup qualifying matches with two friendly matches later this month.

SOCCER / J. League

May 11, 2008

Edmilson lifts Reds over Frontale

KAWASAKI — A single moment of skill lit up an otherwise dreary game to give Urawa Reds a 1-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

May 11, 2008

JEF United shows commitment with hiring of Miller

Given the state JEF United Chiba finds itself in, the club has pulled off a real coup in snaring Alex Miller for its vacant manager's job.

SOCCER / J. League

May 8, 2008

Kuze sacked after just four months at helm of JEF United

JEF United Chiba fired manager Josip Kuze on Wednesday, a day after the Croatian insisted the club wanted him to stay in the job.

SOCCER / World cup

May 6, 2008

Verbeek vows to keep Aussies competitive in World Cup qualifying

Australia manager Pim Verbeek insists his side has a better understanding of Asian soccer since last year's Asian Cup, but is taking nothing for granted ahead of next month's crucial World Cup qualification matches.

SOCCER / J. League

May 4, 2008

Reysol dismantles struggling JEF

CHIBA — A first-half goal from Alex gave Kashiwa Reysol a 1-0 win over JEF United Chiba on Saturday, and consigned its beleaguered local rival to a sixth-straight league defeat in the process.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

May 3, 2008

Some Japanese referees just don't get it

The referee is never the most popular person on a soccer pitch, but the man in charge of Tuesday's J. League clash between Oita Trinita and FC Tokyo certainly didn't do himself any favors.

SOCCER / J. League

Apr 27, 2008

Verdy halts Nagoya's run at six

Tokyo Verdy killed off the unbeaten start of Nagoya Grampus to the J. League season with a shock 2-0 win at Ajinomoto Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

SOCCER

Apr 23, 2008

Oliveira miffed about schedule

Kashima Antlers manager Oswaldo Oliveira has launched an angry tirade against his club's hectic schedule ahead of Wednesday's Asian Champions League clash with Beijing Guoan.

SOCCER / J. League

Apr 20, 2008

Tough day for Antlers as Fujigaya hurt in draw with Gamba

KASHIMA, Ibaraki Pref. — Gamba Osaka survived a first-half injury to goalkeeper Yosuke Fujigaya to claim a point from a scrappy 0-0 draw against Kashima Antlers on Saturday.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Apr 19, 2008

Antlers logical destination for rehabbing Ronaldo in Japan

Whether there's truth in reports this week suggesting Ronaldo may be headed to the J. League, it is certainly a compelling story.

SOCCER / J. League

Apr 13, 2008

Resurgent Reds ready for Antlers

Urawa Reds manager Gert Engels is confident his resurgent side can maintain its push up the J. League table when unbeaten champions Kashima Antlers visit Saitama Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

SOCCER / J. League

Apr 13, 2008

Verdy's late own goal gives FC Tokyo victory in capital city derby

A last-minute own goal gave FC Tokyo a 2-1 win and bragging rights over Tokyo Verdy in a frantic capital city derby on Saturday.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Apr 7, 2008

Ono quietly reviving career with VfL Bochum in Bundesliga

While Urawa Reds storm up the J. League table after a disastrous start to the season, one former player is quietly rebuilding his own reputation abroad with slightly less fanfare.

SOCCER / J. League

Apr 6, 2008

Aggressive Frontale fail to capitalize on numerous chances

KAWASAKI — Kyoto Sanga launched an astonishing smash-and-grab raid on Kawasaki Frontale to claim a 1-0 win at Todoroki Stadium on Saturday evening.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.

Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

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