Andrew MCKIRDY - The Japan Times

November 04, 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 / J. League

Aug 17, 2013

Marinos climb back into first place by beating FC Tokyo

Yokohama F. Marinos reclaimed top spot in the J.League table with a 2-0 win over FC Tokyo on Saturday night.

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Aug 14, 2013

Omiya taking massive gamble with Verdenik dismissal

The J. League has seen its fair share of bold managerial dismissals over the years, but few can rival the firing of Omiya Ardija's Zdenko Verdenik last weekend.

SOCCER / J. League

Aug 9, 2013

FC Tokyo's Watanabe embracing challenges he faces

FC Tokyo striker Kazuma Watanabe is excited to be leading a new wave of Japanese goal scorers in the race for this season's J. League golden boot, but that does not mean he is about to sit back and let his countrymen beat him to the prize.

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Aug 7, 2013

Weekend results deny Sanfrecce chance to stretch legs

League leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima went into last weekend's game against Urawa Reds with a real chance to pull clear of the chasing pack, but after crashing to a 3-1 defeat at Saitama Stadium, the top of the table now looks more congested than ever.

SOCCER / J. League

Aug 3, 2013

Koroki brace steers Reds past Sanfrecce

Urawa Reds brought Sanfrecce Hiroshima crashing back to earth with a 3-1 win over the J.League leaders on Saturday night.

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jul 31, 2013

East Asian Cup triumph gives Japan, Zaccheroni timely boost

The East Asian Cup gave Japan something to build upon with next year's World Cup on the horizon.

SOCCER

Jul 27, 2013

Miyaichi going all out to impress Wenger, earn place

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Ryo Miyaichi is looking more like his old self after struggling with injuries over the past year, but the Frenchman has stopped short of promising the young winger a place in his squad for the coming season.

SOCCER

Jul 26, 2013

Akpom lifts Arsenal with late tally against Urawa

A late defensive mix-up denied Urawa Reds an exhibition-match draw with Arsenal as the Premier League heavyweights ran out 2-1 winners on Friday night.

Japan Times

SOCCER

Jul 24, 2013

Giggs urges patience, tips Kagawa for big role at United

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs insists there is no need to panic at the club's lukewarm start under new manager David Moyes, and believes teammate Shinji Kagawa has what it takes to make a big impression over the coming season.

Japan Times

SOCCER

Jul 23, 2013

Marinos snatch victory from Kagawa, Manchester United

Shinji Kagawa came off the bench but failed to prevent Manchester United from falling to a 3-2 exhibition-match defeat to Yokohama F. Marinos on Tuesday night.

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jul 17, 2013

Zaccheroni on lookout for new blood at East Asian Cup

Japan heads to South Korea for the East Asian Cup this weekend expecting a completely different challenge from last month's Confederations Cup, but with the disappointment of a first-round exit from Brazil still fresh in the memory, manager Alberto Zaccheroni will be keen to come home with the title....

SOCCER / J. League

Jul 13, 2013

Marinos outclass league-leading Ardija

Yokohama F. Marinos clipped J.League leaders Omiya Ardija's wings and moved firmly into the chasing pack with a 2-1 win on Saturday night.

SOCCER / J. League

Jul 10, 2013

Reds narrowly avoid defeat against FC Tokyo

Urawa Reds salvaged a point but lost ground on J. League leaders Omiya Ardija after a 2-2 draw with FC Tokyo on Wednesday night.

SOCCER / J. League

Jul 6, 2013

Ikeda leads Sagan to draw against Ardija

Sagan Tosu hit an 83rd-minute equalizer to claim a 1-1 draw with Omiya Ardija and cut the J.League leader's cushion at the top to three points as play resumed from a six-week international break on Saturday.

SOCCER / J. League

Jul 5, 2013

Novakovic relishing surprise title challenge with Ardija

Few preseason predictions would have tipped Omiya Ardija to lead the J. League at the start of July, but as play resumes Saturday after a six-week international break, striker Milivoje Novakovic is happy to keep confounding expectations.

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Jul 3, 2013

Gamba, Vissel on course for quick return to top division

The J. League first division returns from its six-week international break this Saturday, but beneath the top flight the race for promotion is in full swing with the second division reaching its halfway point last Saturday.

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jun 27, 2013

Zaccheroni feels heat for first time after early exit from Brazil

Alberto Zaccheroni has enjoyed an exceptionally smooth first three years as national team manager, but after coming in for widespread criticism in the wake of Japan's early exit from the Confederations Cup, the Italian can expect a bumpy ride before the World Cup begins next summer.

SOCCER / J. League

Jun 23, 2013

Yokohama defender Dutra turning back time as he nears 40

Yokohama F. Marinos left-back Dutra will celebrate his 40th birthday before the current J. League season is over, but that does not mean he intends to shift down a gear anytime soon.

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jun 20, 2013

Japan looking for Italian tonic after poor display against Brazil

Japan's humbling defeat to Brazil in the opening game of the Confederations Cup last weekend was a bitter pill to swallow, but that does not mean Alberto Zaccheroni's side cannot get its campaign back on track against Italy on Wednesday.

SOCCER

Jun 9, 2013

Baggio impressed by Japan's progress

Italian soccer legend Roberto Baggio has paid tribute to the strides Japan has made under manager Alberto Zaccheroni, but the former FIFA World Player of the Year has warned his compatriot not to expect an easy ride at this month's Confederations Cup.

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

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Once smoky, male-dominated spaces, today's net cafes, like Kaikatsu Club, are working to make their operations more attractive to women customers.

The second life of Japan's net cafes

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Tokyo Gas lights the way to carbon neutrality

Tokyo Gas lights the way to carbon neutrality

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

international-reports