Tag - 2018-world-cup

 
 

2018 WORLD CUP

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Nov 8, 2017
Competition heats up as Japan prepares for top-class tests
National team manager Vahid Halilhodzic demanded strong friendly opposition to help prepare Japan for next summer's World Cup, and this coming week's two fixtures certainly fit the bill.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Oct 11, 2017
Halilhodzic warns Japan to shape up before Brazil, Belgium tests
National team manager Vahid Halilhodzic branded Japan's 3-3 draw with Haiti on Tuesday "the worst match I have seen" and warned his players to shape up or be humiliated in next month's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Oct 6, 2017
Germany qualifies for World Cup with easy victory over Northern Ireland
Germany qualified for the World Cup in style on Thursday when superb early strikes from Sebastian Rudy and Sandro Wagner set it on the way to a 3-1 win in Northern Ireland that maintained its perfect record in Group C.
Japan Times
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Oct 6, 2017
England uninspiring in victory over Slovenia
Gareth Southgate wanted England to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals in style. Harry Kane's late winner in the 1-0 win over Slovenia on Thursday sealed England's place in Russia, but a match of numbing tedium was so poor Sunday's now academic final group match in Lithuania will test the loyalty of...
SOCCER / World cup
Aug 31, 2017
Japan secures spot in sixth consecutive World Cup
Takuma Asano and Yosuke Ideguchi scored in each half to book Japan's place at the 2018 World Cup with a 2-0 win over Australia on Thursday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Jun 9, 2017
England brings overwhelming advantage into showdown with Scotland
There is no realistic reason, other than football — like any sport — can always produce a shock, to believe England will not beat Scotland at Hampden Park on Saturday in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 7, 2017
Japan warms up for World Cup qualifier with draw against Syria
Japan limbered up for next week's World Cup qualifier against Iraq with a 1-1 draw with Syria in a friendly on Wednesday night.
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
May 31, 2017
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.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 29, 2017
Goalkeeper Kawashima comes in from the cold to boost Japan's World Cup bid
Goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima believes he has repaid his manager's faith after returning from the international wilderness to steer Japan closer to a sixth straight World Cup appearance with two clean sheets in two qualifying wins.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Mar 22, 2017
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 Times
SOCCER / World cup
Nov 16, 2016
Halilhodzic sends warning to frozen-out stars after Japan's win over Saudis
National team manager Vahid Halilhodzic has warned his Europe-based stars to play regularly for their clubs or face a spell in the international wilderness after dropping Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki for Tuesday night's 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Saudi Arabia.
SOCCER
Nov 15, 2016
Japan triumphs over Saudi Arabia as Halilhodzic shakes up lineup
Japan put itself right back in the mix for 2018 World Cup qualification with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Nov 9, 2016
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 Cup qualifier in Saitama next Tuesday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Oct 7, 2016
Halilhodzic toasts Japan after dramatic win over Iraq
National team manager Vahid Halilhodzic believes his players "deserve two glasses of champagne" after Thursday's dramatic 2-1 World Cup-qualifying win over Iraq, but warned they will have to sharpen up at set pieces before they take on Australia on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Oct 6, 2016
Birthday boy Yamaguchi lifts Japan with dramatic late goal against Iraq
Substitute Hotaru Yamaguchi volleyed in an injury-time winner to jolt Japan's bid to reach a sixth straight World Cup into life with a 2-1 victory over Iraq on Thursday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Oct 5, 2016
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 pace after games against Iraq and Australia over...
Japan Times
SOCCER
Sep 2, 2016
Allardyce era begins with qualifier against Slovakia
The reaction will be as predictable as it is meaningless.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 2, 2016
Honda slams referee after 'ghost goal' haunts Japan's loss to UAE
Japan forward Keisuke Honda once again issued a damning verdict on the standard of Asia's referees after the Samurai Blue were denied a seemingly legitimate goal in Thursday's 2-1 World Cup-qualifying loss to the United Arab Emirates.
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Aug 31, 2016
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.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 30, 2016
Centurion Okazaki looking for balance after win over Syria
National team striker Shinji Okazaki thanked his teammates for helping him reach 100 caps but warned the hard work is still to come after Japan topped its 2018 World Cup second-round qualifying group with a 5-0 win over Syria on Tuesday.

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