Andrew MCKIRDY - The Japan Times

September 08, 2025

Today's print edition

Subscribe for more access

Andrew MCKIRDY

Meta

Twitter

@Andrew_McKirdy

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

Apr 15, 2014

Saito ignites Marinos with two rapid-fire goals in second half

Manabu Saito dragged Yokohama F. Marinos' Asian Champions League challenge back from the dead with two goals in the space of a minute in a 2-1 win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Tuesday night.

SOCCER / J. League

Apr 9, 2014

Reinvigorated Antlers looking to rule J. League again

It has been a few years since Kashima Antlers could rightly be described as the team to beat in the J. League, but this season's early form suggests the seven-time champions are fast recovering their old aura.

SOCCER / J. League

Apr 6, 2014

Kashiwa outclasses Cerezo's stars

Kashiwa Reysol gave Cerezo Osaka's much-vaunted strike force a lesson in clinical finishing with a 2-1 win over the preseason J. League title favorites on Sunday.

SOCCER / J. League

Mar 29, 2014

Antlers rally for win

Kashima Antlers came from behind to beat Yokohama F . Marinos 3-1 on Saturday as the J. League's early front-runners went head to head.

SOCCER / J. League

Mar 24, 2014

Players push for more action against racism scourge

Urawa Reds striker Tadanari Lee has urged Japanese soccer to follow the Premier League's zero-tolerance attitude toward racism after taking part in the first J. League game to be played behind doors.

Japan Times

SOCCER / J. League

Mar 23, 2014

Urawa, Shimizu play to draw in silent Saitama Stadium

Urawa Reds drew 1-1 with Shimizu S-Pulse on Sunday in the first J. League game to be played behind closed doors, as punishment for a discriminatory banner hung by Urawa fans earlier this month.

SOCCER / J. League

Mar 22, 2014

Urawa prepares for darkest day

Urawa Reds will make unwanted J. League history when they take on Shimizu S-Pulse at an empty Saitama Stadium on Sunday, and S-Pulse manager Afshin Ghotbi knows from experience that it will not be an occasion to savor.

SOCCER / J. League

Mar 15, 2014

Marinos handle Vortis

Yokohama F. Marinos maintained their perfect start to the J. League season with a comfortable 3-0 win over promoted Tokushima Vortis on Saturday.

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Mar 14, 2014

Murai deserves praise for taking bold action against Urawa

The J. League has not always been known for taking clear, decisive action, but Thursday's announcement that Urawa Reds must play one home game behind closed doors as punishment for a discriminatory banner was a bold decision that must be applauded.

SOCCER / J. League

Mar 13, 2014

J. League punishes Urawa for discriminatory banner

The J. League on Thursday ordered Urawa Reds to play their next home game behind closed doors as punishment for a discriminatory banner that appeared at a match last weekend.

SOCCER / J. League

Mar 12, 2014

Usual suspects top the table early

The new J. League season is just two weeks old, but already there is a familiar look about the top of the table.

Japan Times

SOCCER

Mar 7, 2014

'Pitbull' Davids thinks Japan has potential for World Cup upsets

Dutch legend Edgar Davids believes Japan can spring a surprise at this summer's World Cup in Brazil, calling on the likes of Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa to inspire a future generation of players watching at home.

Japan Times

SOCCER

Mar 6, 2014

Kagawa invigorated by performance against New Zealand

Shinji Kagawa believes he can rescue his Manchester United career after starring in Japan's 4-2 friendly win over New Zealand on Wednesday night.

Japan Times

SOCCER

Mar 5, 2014

Japan overwhelms New Zealand in National Stadium finale

Japan came out with all guns blazing to beat New Zealand 4-2 and say farewell to National Stadium in style in a friendly on Wednesday night.

SOCCER / J. League

Mar 1, 2014

Antlers wallop Ventforet in season-opening match

Kashima Antlers made a barnstorming start to the new J.League season with a 4-0 demolition of Ventforet Kofu on Saturday.

SOCCER / J. League / 2014 J. LEAGUE PREVIEW

Feb 28, 2014

Cerezo looking to end Sanfrecce stranglehold

The following is the second of a two-part preview for the upcoming J. League season. Team-by-team previews of the nine highest-ranking teams competing in the first division are listed.

SOCCER / J. League / 2014 J. LEAGUE PREVIEW

Feb 27, 2014

Gamba looking for payback

The following is the first of a two-part preview for the upcoming J. League season. Team-by-team previews of the nine lowest-ranked teams competing in the first division are listed.

Japan Times

SOCCER / J. League

Feb 26, 2014

Popovic trying to keep lid on Forlan hype as Cerezo eye title

The arrival of star Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan has transformed Cerezo Osaka into runaway favorites for the J. League title in the minds of many, but if manager Ranko Popovic agrees with them, he is keeping quiet.

Japan Times

SOCCER / J. League

Feb 25, 2014

Sanfrecce emboldened as chase for third straight title looms

Sanfrecce Hiroshima know they could not have won last year's J. League title without a bit of luck, but that will not stop the two-time defending champions from believing they can make it three in a row when the new season starts on Saturday.

Japan Times

OLYMPICS

Feb 25, 2014

Mao gives measured response to Mori's criticism, defends use of triple axel

Just back from Russia, figure skater Mao Asada chides Tokyo 2020 Olympic organizing committee chief Yoshiro Mori for criticizing her effort at the Sochi Games.

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

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Figure skater Akiko Suzuki was once told her ideal weight should be 47 kilograms, a number she now admits she “naively believed.” This led to her have a relationship with food that resulted in her suffering from anorexia.

The silent battle Japanese athletes fight with weight

By Mai Yoshikawa

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 6th annual Sustainable Japan Award.

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 6th annual Sustainable Japan Award.

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

international-reports