Andrew MCKIRDY - The Japan Times

September 08, 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.

Japan Times

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Feb 2, 2012

Reysol not content to bask in memory of glorious 2011

It would take a Herculean effort for Kashiwa Reysol to match their 2011 achievements over the coming season, but the reigning J. League champions see no reason why they cannot raise the bar and go even higher.

SOCCER / J. League

Jan 29, 2012

Frontale counting on Nakamura to fill leadership role

An 11th-place finish last season suggests Kawasaki Frontale's days as a J. League championship contender are over, but playmaker Kengo Nakamura is refusing to go quietly as the club prepares for another tilt at a first-ever title.

SOCCER / J. League

Jan 23, 2012

Makino determined to get career back on track at Urawa

Last year was one to forget for both Urawa Reds and Tomoaki Makino, but the national team defender believes 2012 will be a different story after joining the fallen Saitama giants on a season-long loan.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jan 19, 2012

Strikers looking to blaze new goal trail in European leagues

Ryoichi Maeda will be disappointed that his proposed move to West Ham United broke down last weekend, but the growing overseas interest in Japanese strikers is nevertheless an encouraging sign for the national team.

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jan 12, 2012

Sawa's achievement sets new benchmark for Japanese game

There was never any doubt that Homare Sawa would be named Women's World Player of the Year on Monday, but the significance of the award to the Japanese game still cannot be overstated.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jan 5, 2012

First-class final caps fine year for second tier

FC Tokyo and Kyoto Sanga's all-J2 Emperor's Cup final on Sunday was a high-profile showcase for the J. League second division, but away from the spotlight there is plenty to suggest the lower tier is in rude health.

Japan Times

SOCCER / World cup

Dec 20, 2011

World champions Barcelona still hungry for more silverware

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has warned rivals that the newly crowned world champions have the desire and commitment to stay on top for many more years to come.

SOCCER

Dec 19, 2011

Barca confirms superiority with triumph over Santos

Barcelona became world champions for the second time after blowing Santos away with a 4-0 masterclass in the Club World Cup final on Sunday night.

Japan Times

SOCCER / World cup

Dec 18, 2011

Santos ready for duel against mighty Barca

Santos manager Muricy Ramalho has vowed to stand up to Barcelona and fight fire with fire in the Club World Cup final on Sunday night.

Japan Times

SOCCER

Dec 17, 2011

Barcelona inspired to claim title as tribute to injured Villa

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has vowed to overcome the loss of David Villa and win the Club World Cup after the striker broke his shinbone in Thursday's semifinal victory over Al Sadd.

SOCCER / World cup

Dec 16, 2011

Barcelona crushes Al Sadd

Barcelona set up a Club World Cup final showdown with Santos after picking a way through the massed ranks of Al Sadd's defense to claim a 4-0 win on Thursday night.

SOCCER / World cup

Dec 14, 2011

Barcelona prepares for tough foe in semifinal

Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano is expecting a hard physical battle against Qatari side Al Sadd in Thursday's Club World Cup semifinal, but the Argentine insists his team has no plans to deviate from the fast-passing style that has brought it so much success in recent years.

SOCCER / World cup

Dec 13, 2011

Barcelona wary of jet lag after touching down in Japan

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has urged his players to fight through jet lag and become world champions for a second time at the Club World Cup in Japan this week.

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Dec 8, 2011

Reysol ready to take on world after shock title

It would have taken a brave person to tip Kashiwa Reysol for the 2011 J. League title before the season had begun. But as the newly crowned champions prepare to take on Auckland City in the Club World Cup on Thursday, it would take an even braver person to deny they deserved it.

SOCCER / J. League

Dec 4, 2011

Reysol complete storybook season

Kashiwa Reysol captured their first-ever J. League title just a year after winning the second division with a 3-1 victory over Urawa Reds on the final day of the season on Saturday.

SOCCER / J. League

Nov 27, 2011

Reysol stay on course to earn J. League title

J. League front-runners Kashiwa Reysol fought back from a goal down to keep their title destiny in their own hands going into the final week of the season with a 1-1 draw with Cerezo Osaka on Saturday.

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Nov 24, 2011

Weekend fightback gives Reysol one hand on league title

Nagoya Grampus will fight to the last breath to defend their J. League title, but there can be little doubt now that the 2011 championship is Kashiwa Reysol's to lose.

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Nov 10, 2011

Home comforts in short supply as Japan aims for final round

Tajikistan and North Korea might not be the strongest of opponents, but conditions away from home will certainly make Japan's bid to secure an early place in the final round of World Cup qualifiers difficult over the coming week.

SOCCER / J. League

Nov 4, 2011

Reysol, two rivals still in hunt for title

Kashiwa Reysol kept their noses in front in the J. League title race with a 4-0 win over Albirex Niigata on Thursday as all three championship contenders claimed victories going into the final three games of the season.

SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Nov 3, 2011

Everything to play for as three-way title race gets serious

Nagoya Grampus won the J. League title a full 10 points ahead of second-place Gamba Osaka last season, but as the 2011 campaign enters the final stretch, the situation is anything but cut and dried.

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.

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