Soccer

Akira Nishino attends match in Thailand amid reports of coaching job

Kyodo

PATHUM, THANI THAILAND - Former Japan national team manager Akira Nishino attended a Thai League 1 soccer match on Saturday amid reports he will accept a job as head coach of Thailand’s national soccer team in the coming days.

Nishino attended the True Bangkok United-Sukhothai Football Club match at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani Province.

Declining to discuss any potential new job, Nishino briefly told reporters upon his arrival that he just came to watch the game.

Some True Bangkok United players currently play for Thailand. The former Japan manager is scheduled to watch another match in Bangkok on Sunday.

Local media reported that Nishino, who led Japan to the round of 16 at the World Cup in Russia last year, will sign a contract with the Football Association of Thailand as early as next week.

Former Cerezo Osaka coach Yoon Jong-hwan from South Korea has also reportedly applied for the position as Thailand manager.

LATEST SOCCER STORIES

Japan's Maya Yoshida (right) and Poland's Robert Lewandowski vie for the ball during their match at the 2018 World Cup on June 28, 2018, in Volgograd, Russia.

Japan grouped with Myanmar, Mongolia for 2022 World Cup qualifiers: Japan will face Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Myanmar and Mongolia in the second round of 2022 World Cup Asian qualifying after being drawn in Group F on Wednesday. The draw at the Asian Footb...

Akira Nishino, seen before Japan's match against Belgium during the 2018 World Cup, has been hired as head coach of Thailand's national and U-23 teams.

Former Japan manager Akira Nishino named head coach of Thailand's national, U-23 teams: Akira Nishino, who guided Japan to the last 16 at the 2018 World Cup, was officially named head coach Wednesday of the Thailand national and under-23 men's teams. The 64-year-old will le...

Urawa Reds defender Tomoaki Makino (center) argues with officials after a controversial goal by Yokohama F. Marinos midfielder Teruhito Nakagawa was allowed to stand on Saturday at Nissan Stadium.

J. League embraces discussion of controversy: Knowledge is not always power, but a little communication can go a long way. That's perhaps the biggest takeaway from last Saturday's game between Yokohama F. Marinos and Urawa Reds, whe...