Squads, not stars, could define J. League's 2020 season
In its chosen hashtag for the season (#2020の主役は誰だ), the J. League literally asks "who will play the lead role in 2020?" That's never exactly been an easy question to ask, but it's become especially difficult in recent years. The league's supply of reliable stars has ...
Tosu wins nail-biter against Matsumoto to stay above relegation zone
Sagan Tosu avoided falling into the relegation zone with a 1-0 home win over Matsumoto Yamaga, a fellow straggler in the J. League first division, on Sunday. Takashi Kanai scored the game's only goal on a 13th-minute free-kick at Ekimae Real Estate Stadium, and the ...
Takashi Kanai propels Sagan Tosu past FC Tokyo with extra-time winner
Takashi Kanai scored an extra-time winner as Sagan Tosu came from behind to beat J. League first-division frontrunner FC Tokyo 2-1 Saturday, denying the visitors the three points they needed to ensure their league lead. The loss left FC Tokyo with 53 points, one ahead ...
Fernando Torres retires with positive J. League legacy
After a night of pomp and circumstance, Fernando Torres' professional career came to a close on Friday as he played his last game wearing the neon blue and pink of Sagan Tosu. Across from him on the pitch were two players with whom he won ...
Vissel Kobe hammer Sagan Tosu in Fernando Torres' final game
Former Spain international star Fernando Torres walked away from the game after failing to score in Sagan Tosu's 6-1 loss to Vissel Kobe on Friday night. The game was billed as a final showdown between Torres and his compatriot, friend and former World Cup star ...
Sagan Tosu snatched an improbable 2-1 comeback victory against Cerezo Osaka in the J. League's first division Sunday following late goals from veteran forward Yohei Toyoda and debutant Daichi Hayashi. Making his first J. League appearance as a late substitute, 22-year-old Hayashi scored in the ...
Fernando Torres to close out career against David Villa, Andres Iniesta's Vissel Kobe
Fernando Torres will hang up his boots for good after taking on Andres Iniesta and David Villa in a J. League first-division match in August, the former Spain striker said on Sunday, having decided to retire before his body gives up on him. The 35-year-old ...
Sagan Tosu forward Fernando Torres, a former Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea star who won the 2011 World Cup with Spain, announced Friday he was retiring. "I have something very important to announce. After 18 exciting years, the time has come to put an end ...
Struggling Sagan Tosu gives fans something to cheer for in win over Gamba Osaka
Spanish midfielder Isaac Cuenca gave a man-of-the-match performance as last-place Sagan Tosu secured just their second win of the season by beating fellow strugglers Gamba Osaka 3-1 in the J. League first-division on Saturday. Cuenca headed in the opening goal from a corner in the ...
Tosu manager Lluis Carreras leaves club after dire start to season
Struggling J. League first division club Sagan Tosu on Sunday announced the resignation of manager Lluis Carreras less than three months into the season. The 46-year-old Spaniard departs with Sagan having scored only one goal after 10 rounds of the J. League season. The team ...
Woeful Tosu facing turmoil on and off pitch
Once protest banners emerge behind the goal and applause turns to jeering following loss after loss, J. League clubs tend to draw from a limited arsenal in order to placate fans and turn things around. Sometimes the captain will address fans after the match, other ...
Marinos boss Ange Postecoglou laments misses in scoreless draw with Sagan
Yokohama F. Marinos manager Ange Postecoglou was left ruing missed chances Friday night after his side dominated play but finished with a scoreless draw against visiting Sagan Tosu. Marinos will certainly feel they let three points slip from their grasp, having hit the woodwork several ...
