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JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 9, 2010

Japan team has foot in World Cup door but can it kick?

Japan established its presence in the baseball universe after winning the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006 and repeating the feat in 2009. But when it comes to soccer, the national squad is seen by many as a nonfactor heading into June's World Cup in South Africa.
SOCCER / World cup / COHOSTING
May 16, 2002

World Cup pie gets bigger

The head of soccer's world governing body FIFA is never likely to be called a shrinking violet. In the world of sport, perhaps only the head of the International Olympic Committee has a more powerful voice. When he talks, everyone listens.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jan 24, 2012

Nadeshiko Japan eyes London Olympic gold

Japan's overtime defeat of the United States in the 2011 women's World Cup soccer finals inspired a nation suffering from the March 11 disaster and ensuing nuclear crisis. This year will see the club dubbed Nadeshiko Japan attempt to repeat their success at the Summer Olympics in London. Following are...
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Nov 7, 2002

Zico reveals his plans for Japanese team

In an exclusive interview with The Japan Times, Brazilian soccer legend and newly appointed Japan national team coach Zico aired his views on his philosophy and plans for the future of Japanese soccer.
SOCCER / World cup
Apr 10, 2002

Hooliganism won't disappear without a fight

Hooliganism won't disappear without a fight
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 12, 2010

Quantitative analysts take on the 'Beautiful Game'

HONG KONG — Sepp Blatter and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the organizers of the World Cup, had better watch out — the quants have arrived and have put their infamous models to work in predicting the outcome of the World Cup that has just kicked off in South Africa....
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jun 17, 2006

World Cup spirit runneth over

Zzzzzzzzzz. Eh? Oh, it's Saturday morning? Time for Japan Lite? Sorry for the drowsiness, but if you've been watching the World Cup soccer on TV, you'll understand. All the games are on at night here. I usually go to sleep after the 10 p.m. game and wake up for the 4 a.m. game.
SOCCER / J. League / ON THE BALL
Jan 1, 2002

Troussier hoping for successful swan song

This year will be a crucial period for Japanese soccer, particularly when the national team plays in the World Cup finals from May 31-June 30 in front of its home fans.
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 18, 2011

Nadeshiko Japan obviously doesn't do it for the money

Will victory mean more money for women's soccer in Japan?
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Mar 11, 2007

J. League's Onitake optimistic about future

The Japan Times recently visited J. League chairman Kenji Onitake at his office to find out about his vision for the future of the league and soccer in Japan.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jul 2, 2006

Consternation characterizes response to Zico's World Cup flops

Though it may not be any consolation to local soccer fans, the Japanese team won the Humanoid Division in the RoboCup soccer competition that took place in Bremen on June 14-20.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 23, 2008

Inukai ready to face new challenges as president of JFA

On July 12, Motoaki Inukai became president of the Japan Football Association, bypassing four JFA vice presidents and one general secretary to land the most powerful job in Japanese soccer.
SOCCER / J. League / ON THE BALL
Oct 3, 2002

New J. League boss to build on World Cup

On July 23, former Kashima Antlers president Masaru Suzuki succeeded Saburo Kawabuchi as J. League chairman after Kawabuchi retired from the post and moved on to take office as president of the Japan Football Association.
CULTURE / Books / THE ASIAN BOOKSHELF
Jun 9, 2002

The harbinger of a new era

JAPANESE RULES: Why the Japanese Needed Football and How They Got It, by Sebastian Moffett. London: Yellow Jersey Press, 2002, 207 pp., 10 pounds (paper) In elucidating the cultural context, symbolism and social implications of the world's most popular game as it has evolved from irrelevance to obsession...
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 16, 2001

Heading off hooligans at 2002 World Cup

The 2002 soccer World Cup draw was a confusing and nerve-racking affair for the national team coaches and officials attending the ceremony in Pusan, South Korea, and for the many fans watching on television all over the world. For Japanese soccer officials, the collective sigh of relief never happened....
Japan Times
SOCCER
Dec 30, 2022

Legendary Pele was Brazil’s ambassador to the world

Former Brazil star Pele was a man who moved in the company of celebrities and presidents and a player who could pause a civil war and then shake hands with a queen.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jul 31, 2011

Nadeshiko Japan show that a relaxed approach gets the best results

The national women's soccer team that just won the FIFA World Cup in Germany is called Nadeshiko Japan. "Nadeshiko" is the name of a flower, but it also represents a certain ideal of Japanese femininity that's demure, quiet and accommodating to men; or, at least, it used to be. Japan's victory over the...
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 23, 2010

The beautiful game has an ugly blemish

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The quality of refereeing at the World Cup had been a source of relief until June 18, when referee Koman Coulibaly of Mali disallowed a perfectly legitimate goal by the United States that would have given it an all-important win over Slovenia. Worse still, Coulibaly never had to...
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Apr 7, 2002

Guess who's coming to dinner?

Thanks to a series of scandals, Snow Brand Dairy Products has seen one subsidiary fall and its image seriously damaged, but that's not the worst of it. Last Sunday, "Ryori Banzai," one of Japanese TV's longest-running cooking shows, signed off forever with a long, tearful thank-you speech. Ever since...
MULTIMEDIA / SPORTS SCOPE
Feb 1, 2001

FIFA's football family is fatally dysfunctional

Sepp Blatter, the head of soccer's world governing body FIFA, invariably refers to the world's soccer community as "the football family." Unfortunately, it's a terribly dysfunctional family.
Paris Saint-Germain players celebrate with the Champions League trophy after defeating Inter Milan in the final on Saturday in Munich.
SOCCER
Jun 1, 2025

Brilliant PSG demolishes Inter Milan to win first Champions League title

Teenager Desire Doue played a starring role in the win, scoring twice in an astonishing 5-0 victory.
Urawa's supporters cheer before the J. League football match against Fagiano Okayama at Saitama Stadium 2002 on March 8, 2025.
SOCCER / J. League
Jun 10, 2025

With shades of Man Utd, Urawa vows to bring the noise at Club World Cup

While the fallen English giants won't be at the Club World Cup, Urawa Reds will and are set to be roared on in the United States by more than 5,000 followers.
LAFC forward Olivier Giroud vies for the ball against Club America's Miguel Vazquez during a match on May 31 in Los Angeles.
SOCCER
Jun 13, 2025

Olivier Giroud views Club World Cup as chance to showcase quality of MLS

LAFC is one of three MLS sides entered in the 32-team tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (left) and former Brazilian player Ronaldo unveil the Club World Cup trophy before the draw in Miami on Dec. 5, 2024.
SOCCER
Jun 13, 2025

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hails Club World Cup as start of 'new era'

The 32-team competition, featuring clubs from around the world, gets under way with Inter Miami facing Egyptian club Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium.
England's Lucy Bronze says its not just players who receive negative comments on social media.
SOCCER
Jun 19, 2025

England women to avoid 'awful' social media during European Championship

Chelsea forward Lauren James said the abuse never really stops.
Auckland City's Adam Mitchell reacts during his team's match against Bayern Munich in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 15.
SOCCER
Jun 20, 2025

Club World Cup is both blessing and curse for amateur club Auckland City

Auckland City lost 10-0 against European giant Bayern Munich at the Club World Cup.
Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez (center) celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group A match against Palmeiras in Miami on Monday.
SOCCER
Jun 24, 2025

Messi's Miami and PSG progress to set up Club World Cup reunion

Miami drew 2-2 with Palmeiras to go through second in Group A, after the Brazilian side fought back from two goals down to seal top spot.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi attempts a free kick during his club's match against Egypt's Al Ahly on June 14 in Miami.
SOCCER
Jun 28, 2025

From Messi to Auckland City, magic shining through Club World Cup issues

The Club World Cup's various problems have been well documented, from empty seats to extreme heat. But there has also been plenty to enjoy about the tournament so far.
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (left) and PSG's Warren Zaire-Emery compete for the ball during their Club World Cup match in Atlanta on Sunday.
SOCCER
Jun 30, 2025

PSG rolls past Lionel Messi and Inter Miami to reach Club World Cup quarterfinals

Miami had hoped Messi's magic could help it produce an unlikely result against the Argentine star's former club.
Al Hilal head coach Simone Inzaghi speaks during a news conference in Orlando on July 3.
SOCCER
Jul 4, 2025

New managers making mark at Club World Cup

As the tournament progresses, the early success of these new managerial appointments suggests that fresh ideas and bold decisions can reshape even the most storied teams.

Longform

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