Japan jumped 23 spots to No. 27 in the FIFA world rankings announced Thursday following its runner-up finish in the just-concluded Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The Samurai Blue placed in the top 30 for the first time since 2013. They ranked No. ...
Restrictions on Japan's soccer media lead to frayed relations with players
In the days since Japan's 3-1 defeat to Qatar in the 2019 Asian Cup final, Japan's soccer media has had plenty of time to unload its takes, whether first, second or simply hot. But another narrative has emerged on Twitter, with players weighing in on ...
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu confident about future despite loss in Asian Cup final
Despite the disappointment of a surprise 3-1 loss against Qatar in the Asian Cup final on Friday, Japan saw encouraging performances from several of its emerging players in the United Arab Emirates. Manager Hajime Moriyasu, who took the reins following last summer's World Cup, overlooked ...
Qatar foiled Japan’s bid for a record-extending fifth Asian Cup title on Friday, winning the tournament for the first time in a 3-1 upset. Golden Boot winner and tournament MVP Almoez Ali scored an early opener before Abdelaziz Hatim added a second as Felix Sanchez’s ...
Welcome to our liveblog, following the action of the Asian Cup final where Japan is facing Qatar.
Samurai Blue boss Hajime Moriyasu urges team to give best effort in Asian Cup final
Japan must lay everything on the line against Qatar in the Asian Cup final, head coach Hajime Moriyasu said Thursday, on the eve of the tournament decider. The Samurai Blue are aiming to extend their record number of continental titles to five at Zayed Sports ...
This week has provided ample opportunity for all of us who doubted Japan's ability to reach the Asian Cup final to take a long, deep drink from the fountain of hubris. Few expected Japan to defeat Iran, the heavily favored Asia No. 1 which entered ...
Striker Yuya Osako netted a second-half brace as Japan advanced to the Asian Cup final with a 3-0 win over Iran on Monday. The Werder Bremen forward made an emphatic return to the starting lineup at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, scoring in open play before ...
Japan-Iran semi has high stakes, little drama
In the heat of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, a certain candidate promised his supporters that they would be "tired of winning." It's a sentiment that could just as easily apply to observers of the Samurai Blue after their fifth shaky one-goal win of the ...
Japan defeats Vietnam in Asian Cup quarterfinals after VAR assists Ritsu Doan penalty
The video assistant referee made a decisive debut in the Asian Cup on Thursday, playing a role in Ritsu Doan's penalty goal in Japan's 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Vietnam. Groningen winger Doan gave Japan the lead 12 minutes after the break when he converted the ...
Japan fails to shift attack into gear
"Defense wins championships," as the old saying goes. The Samurai Blue certainly needed plenty of it on Monday after maintaining less than 24 percent possession over 90 minutes of their Asian Cup round of 16 win against Saudi Arabia under the baking sun at Sharjah ...
Japan must step up after shaky group stage
No more friendlies. No more minnows. No more excuses. Warmups are over for the Samurai Blue. The four-time Asian champions will begin the final march toward a fifth continental title on Monday when they face Saudi Arabia in the 2019 Asian Cup's Round of 16. Should ...
