Tag - from-the-spot

 
 

FROM THE SPOT

Machida Zelvia players celebrate their promotion to the J1, in Kumamoto on Sunday.
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Oct 24, 2023
Go Kuroda's one-year revolution brings Zelvia to J1 promised land
The western Tokyo club will play in the top flight for the first time in 2024 as it continues to flourish on and off the pitch.
Urawa's notoriously fervent supporters are known for packing stands, as well as for repeated off-the-pitch incidents that have impacted the club's reputation.
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Sep 20, 2023
Urawa pays price for hooliganism after years of looking the other way
The J. League club has been banned from playing in Japan's top club tournament after more than a hundred supporters took part in an August pitch invasion.
Nadeshiko Japan reached the knockout stage at a fourth consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup before being eliminated in the quarterfinals on Friday by Sweden.
SOCCER / Women's World cup / From the Spot
Aug 15, 2023
Bold steps needed from JFA, WE League to maintain momentum after WWC
After Nadeshiko Japan's inspiring quarterfinal run in New Zealand, the country's soccer bodies must avoid the missteps of the post-2011 boom and bust.
Sweden's Magdalena Eriksson celebrates her team's win over Japan as Aoba Fujino looks dejected, in Auckland on Friday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup / From the Spot
Aug 11, 2023
Nadeshiko's bright future undimmed by Sweden defeat
The flair, excitement and promise demonstrated by the team has shown that Japan can again lift the FIFA Women's World Cup trophy one day.
Nadeshiko Japan players celebrate Risa Shimizu's goal in their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup round-of-16 game against Norway in Wellington on Saturday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup / From the Spot
Aug 6, 2023
Nadeshiko Japan is back, but is Japan paying attention?
The team’s lack of media exposure and name recognition is a symptom of the Japan Football Association’s failure to capitalize on its 2011 world title.
Japan Times
SOCCER / Women's World Cup / From the Spot
Jun 27, 2023
Broadcaster standoff shows fragile state of Japanese women's soccer
Failure to find a television home for the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup could all but cripple the sport's hopes of mainstream acceptance in the country.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Jun 7, 2023
Andres Iniesta's Japan journey approaches end with farcical farewell
Though he intends to continue playing, the Spanish midfielder was given a sendoff worthy of retirement as Vissel Kobe took on jet-lagged Barcelona in a rain-soaked friendly on Tuesday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
May 16, 2023
'Tamagawa Clasico' evolves into one of J. League's biggest derbies
The rivalry between FC Tokyo and Kawasaki Frontale has been boosted by the clubs' 2007 decision to jointly promote the matchup.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Apr 26, 2023
J. League takes new open approach to fall-spring debate
The league could decide by the end of this year to adopt a calendar in line with those of Europe and South America's biggest leagues and competitions.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Apr 12, 2023
Frontale fans' protest shows league's 'superclub' push carries risks
Supporters of the four-time J1 champion raised alarms over what they see as weakening ties between the club and the community that has supported it for more than 25 years.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Jan 10, 2023
Major format changes await J. League in coming seasons
Stakeholders are preparing for a number of seismic shifts that they hope will push the competition and its clubs to even greater heights.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup / From the Spot
Nov 21, 2022
Samurai Blue have chance to win over hearts of Japanese fans again at World Cup
Japan's rise on the global stage has come as more fans feel disconnected from a squad of stars who mostly play abroad.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Oct 26, 2022
Expansion could be key to revitalizing stagnant Levain Cup
J. League officials are considering changes that would add second and third-division teams to the tournament, which celebrated its 30th anniversary on Saturday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Sep 20, 2022
Kosuke Kimura expects tough fight between Japan and USMNT
The former Colorado Rapids defender, now an assistant coach with Major League Soccer's Nashville SC, hopes the Samurai Blue can learn from their opponents' optimism in Friday's friendly.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Aug 16, 2022
WE League aims to build on first-season challenges
After a challenging debut season, Japan's professional women's soccer competition will return to action on Saturday with the first edition of the WE League Cup.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jul 27, 2022
Urawa fans draw international attention with shot at PSG prices
A sarcastic banner held up before Saturday's friendly at Saitama Stadium highlighted the steep cost of tickets, even as the French champion's stars spent relatively little time on the pitch.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jun 7, 2022
Spirited defense against Brazil offers Japan hope for success in Qatar
Monday's narrow loss showed the Samurai Blue's back line can endure against some of the world's best players, even if the team is still looking for a reliable attacking spark.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
May 20, 2022
J. League taking slow, cautious steps to reintroduce cheering at games
Fans at select games will once again be allowed to sing — in limited numbers — as part of a plan unveiled this week.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
May 12, 2022
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou silences doubters with unexpected run to Scottish Premiership crown
The title comes as joyous relief for Celtic fans, but it's also the ultimate vindication for those who have backed Postecoglou from the start.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
May 4, 2022
Friday night spectacle shows National Stadium's potential as FC Tokyo's home
The rebuilt National Stadium provided the kind of atmosphere that the J. League's biggest fixtures have often lacked.

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on