Soccer Nov 18, 2020
Japan failed to capitalize on a dominant first-half showing.
Soccer Nov 17, 2020
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu expects tough test against Mexico
Japan's friendly against Mexico on Tuesday should give the Samurai Blue a clear picture of where they stand in the world, manager Hajime Moriyasu said. The squad began making final preparations Monday on the eve of the meeting with world No. 11 Mexico at Graz's ...
Soccer Nov 14, 2020
Liverpool striker Takumi Minamino scored a penalty as Japan secured a 1-0 win against Panama in a friendly at the Merkur Arena in Austria on Friday. Minamino started the match up front alongside Villareal forward Takefusa Kubo and opened the scoring in the 61st minute, ...
Soccer Nov 5, 2020
Minamino and Kubo in Japan squad for upcoming friendlies in Austria
The Samurai Blue will face Panama on Nov. 13 and Mexico four days later.
Soccer Oct 22, 2020
Japan to play friendlies against Panama, Mexico in Austria in November
Japan will play Panama in an international friendly on Nov. 13 in Graz, Austria, the Japan Football Association said Thursday. The Samurai Blue are also scheduled to take on Mexico on Nov. 17 in the same city as they face two qualifiers from the North, ...
Soccer Oct 10, 2020
Japan lacked a finishing touch as it settled for a scoreless draw with Cameroon on Friday in the first match of the year for manager Hajime Moriyasu's Samurai Blue. The game was not only Japan's first during a year disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, but ...
Soccer Mar 20, 2020
Postponing Tokyo Games could end Olympic dream for some of Japan's young talents
While organizers are adamant the Tokyo Olympics will proceed as scheduled, postponement of the event due to the coronavirus pandemic could end the Olympic dream for several of Japan's talented crop of men's soccer players. The Olympic men's soccer tournament is contested by under-23 sides ...
Soccer / J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Jan 22, 2020
Hajime Moriyasu running out of time to right Olympic ship
by Dan Orlowitz
With just half a year to go until the Summer Olympics, Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu is running out of time and sympathy. Moriyasu, the first coach to take charge of both the Samurai Blue and Olympic squads since Philippe Troussier in 1999, has come ...
Soccer Jan 1, 2020
Hajime Moriyasu looking for 'tough' players to lead Japan's bid for Olympic gold
As he narrows down his squad for the 2020 Tokyo Games, men's head coach Hajime Moriyasu says he is looking for players with "mental and physical toughness" to help Japan win its first-ever Olympic soccer gold medal. In a recent interview with Kyodo News, the ...
Soccer Dec 18, 2019
Hwang In-beom scored the only goal as South Korea beat Japan to capture the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Championship on Wednesday. The Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder scored in the 28th minute as the tournament host finished with a perfect 3-0 record. After being outhustled and outplayed ...
Soccer Dec 14, 2019
Koki Ogawa scored a hat trick in his international debut as Japan thumped Hong Kong 5-0 in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship final round on Saturday. The 22-year-old striker staked his claim for Olympic selection as Japan easily accounted for Hong Kong, which lost 2-0 ...
Soccer Nov 17, 2019
A lack of ruthlessness in front of the goal proved costly for Japan's Olympic hopefuls on Sunday as they lost 2-0 to Colombia in an under-22 friendly. Headlined by senior national team regulars Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan, Hajime Moriyasu's side created several scoring opportunities ...