Moriyasu can leave Sanfrecce with head held high
It was probably in the best interests of everyone at Sanfrecce Hiroshima that Hajime Moriyasu stood down as manager on Tuesday, but that should not obscure the debt of gratitude that the three-time J. League champions owe him. Moriyasu, who led Sanfrecce to three titles ...
Gambler Halilhodzic hoping chips keep falling his way
National team manager Vahid Halilhodzic's willingness to take risks has worked out well in recent months, and Japan will be hoping that his instincts continue to pay off in its upcoming World Cup qualifier against Iraq. Japan takes on Syria in Tokyo next Wednesday in ...
Japan playing for high stakes in World Cup double-header
Only one point separates the top four teams at the halfway stage of Japan's final qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup, and the coming week could make or break the Samurai Blue's bid to reach a sixth successive tournament. Japan takes on the United ...
Japan may have to wait for more Club World Cup heroics
Kashima Antlers showed how far Japanese soccer has come when they gave Real Madrid a mighty scare in the Club World Cup final last Sunday, but it may be some time before a J. League champion gets to take advantage of Japan hosting the ...
Kashima's J. League title win a fitting end to flawed format
There was always a danger that the J. League's ill-fated introduction of a playoff championship format in 2015 would produce a deeply unsatisfying result somewhere down the line. Kashima Antlers' coronation as champions on Saturday night duly delivered it. Antlers beat Urawa Reds on away ...
Japan looking to build on recovery in crucial Saudi clash
Vahid Halilhodzic appears to have weathered the storm that threatened to cut short his tenure as national team manager last month. But the Bosnian will be anxious not to slip back into the danger zone when Japan takes on Saudi Arabia in a World ...
Match-rusty Japan left with little margin for error in qualifiers
National team manager Vahid Halilhodzic last week bridled at suggestions that he is making excuses for Japan's underwhelming start to the final round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers. But there will be no place to hide if the Samurai Blue slip further off the ...
Little margin for error as Japan aims for 2018 World Cup spot
After a year and a half of shadow boxing, national team manager Vahid Halilhodzic finally gets to taste some meaningful action when Japan begins the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup against the United Arab Emirates on Thursday night. With a ...
Many pitfalls ahead for Japan's medal bid at Rio Olympics
Japan Olympic team manager Makoto Teguramori believes his side is capable of winning gold at this summer's Rio Games, but there are too many factors clouding the water to predict anything for certain. Teguramori named his 18-man squad for the Aug. 3-20 Olympic soccer tournament ...
Halilhodzic looking to stoke competition in World Cup qualifiers
Japan should have little trouble clinching its place in the final round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers when it faces Afghanistan and Syria over the coming week, but manager Vahid Halilhodzic will nonetheless be looking to lay down a marker for the year ahead. Group ...
Jury still out on new J. League championship format
The J. League's new playoff format produced a worthy champion and a thrilling finale in its debut season, but only time will tell if it is a success. Sanfrecce Hiroshima beat Gamba Osaka in a two-legged championship final last week to claim the title, after ...
Japan keen to work off frustration in World Cup qualifiers
Japan heads into this week's World Cup qualifiers only in second place in Group E, but Vahid Halilhodzic's side will be hungry to set the record straight against opponents Singapore and Cambodia. Japan takes on Singapore away on Thursday before traveling to Cambodia to play ...
