Tag - samurai-blue

 
 

SAMURAI BLUE

Japan's Ayase Ueda (center) scores the winning goal against Brazil at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Oct 15, 2025
Japan’s downing of Brazil puts world on notice
The turnaround was reminiscent of wins against major soccer forces at the previous World Cup in Qatar.
Japan's national team poses for a group photo after beating Brazil at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Oct 14, 2025
Japan beats Brazil for first time in chaotic comeback win
In a match marked by defensive breakdowns on both sides, Samurai Blue was able to overturn a two-goal deficit and extend its home unbeaten streak to 21 games.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Monday ahead of a game against Brazil the following day.
SOCCER
Oct 13, 2025
Moriyasu aiming for a result against Brazil
Japan has never beaten Brazil, but the Samurai Blue head coach says, "Our own players are now competing on the European stage, and we want to go toe-to-toe."
Koki Ogawa scores during Samurai Blue's friendly against Paraguay at Panasonic Stadium in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, on Friday.
SOCCER
Oct 11, 2025
Samurai Blue coach hails strikers after rescuing Paraguay draw
Paraguay defended doggedly throughout and Moriyasu was happy that his center-forwards were able to find a way through.
American forward Alejandro Zendejas fights for the ball with Japanese forward Daizen Maeda during a friendly in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Sep 10, 2025
Zendejas and Balogun lift U.S. over Samurai Blue in friendly
After a scoreless draw against Mexico on the weekend, Japan goalkeeper Keisuke Osako made nine saves as his team again failed to get on the scoreboard.
Mexican defender Jorge Sanchez battles for the ball with Japan's midfielder Kaoru Mitoma during a friendly in Oakland, California, on Saturday.
SOCCER
Sep 7, 2025
Japan and Mexico play to goalless draw as World Cup preparations ramp up
A lively Japanese side could not break through against a Mexico team that lost captain Edson Alvarez when he hobbled out with an injury in the first half.
Brazil's Neymar (left) in action with Japan's Yuta Nakayama during a friendly game at National Stadium in Tokyo on June 6, 2022
SOCCER
Aug 27, 2025
Brazil to face Japan and South Korea in October friendlies
The five-time world champions will face Japan in Tokyo on Oct. 14 after playing South Korea in Seoul on Oct. 10..
Kaoru Mitoma celebrates scoring Brighton's second goal against Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Feb. 8.
SOCCER
Aug 12, 2025
Kaoru Mitoma looks to build on Premier League success with Brighton
No Japanese player will be more essential for their team’s Premier League ambitions than Kaoru Mitoma.
Kunishige Kamamoto waves after a match commemorating his retirement in Tokyo in 1984.
SOCCER
Aug 10, 2025
Japanese soccer legend Kunishige Kamamoto dies at 81
Kamamoto scored a record 75 goals for the national team and was widely considered the greatest striker in Japanese soccer history.
Japan's Daichi Kamada (right) dribbles the ball against Indonesia during the World Cup qualifying match at Panasonic Stadium Suita in Osaka Prefecture on Tuesday
SOCCER
Jun 11, 2025
Japan and South Korea celebrate World Cup qualification with big wins
Japan romped to a 6-0 thrashing of Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia in Osaka.
Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu (left) reacts after the loss against Australia in Perth on Thursday.
SOCCER
Jun 6, 2025
Moriyasu mourns end of unbeaten run after loss to Australia
"It ended up being an extremely frustrating and disappointing result," Moriyasu told reporters.
Australia's Milos Degenek celebrates after qualifying for the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Nov. 30, 2022
SOCCER
Jun 4, 2025
Australia targets easier World Cup path ahead of Japan clash
If Australia does beat Samurai Blue on Thursday, it still faces a long wait to confirm whether a berth has been secured for a sixth straight World Cup finals.
Australia coach Tony Popovic (right) before the World Cup qualifying match against Japan at Saitama Stadium on Oct. 15
SOCCER
Jun 2, 2025
Australia faces 'best team in Asia' Japan in quest for World Cup berth
"To be the best we have to beat the best and they clearly are," said Australia coach Tony Popovic.
Japan's Takefusa Kubo competes for the ball with Luca de la Torre of the U.S. during a friendly in September 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany.
SOCCER
May 14, 2025
U.S. to take on Japan in World Cup warmup
On Sept. 9, the Americans will play Japan at the home of the Columbus Crew in Ohio.
Saudi fans cheer during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group C match between Saudi Arabia and China in Riyadh on Thursday.
SOCCER
Mar 25, 2025
Renard expecting no letup from Japan as Saudis eye World Cup spot
The Saudis picked up their first win in five qualifiers when they beat China 1-0 at home last week.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu gives a speech after his team clinched a spot in the 2026 World Cup with a win over Bahrain on Thursday in Saitama.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 23, 2025
Japan's quiet World Cup celebrations show it is hungry for much more
Samurai Blue celebrated its qualification for the World Cup with victory speeches and a water shower for coach Hajime Moriyasu. But this squad has much bigger aims.
Japan's Takefusa Kubo celebrates after scoring against Bahrain during their World Cup qualifier in Saitama on Thursday.
SOCCER
Mar 21, 2025
Samurai Blue becomes first nation to secure World Cup berth
It will be Japan's eighth straight World Cup appearance.
Wataru Endo speaks during a news conference in Paris earlier this month.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 20, 2025
Endo says Japan won't be satisfied just to reach World Cup
Samurai Blue have been dominant in qualifying and can book their spot at the 2026 finals if they beat Bahrain in Saitama.
Hidemasa Morita (right) celebrates scoring Japan’s fourth goal against Bahrain with Kaoru Mitoma (center) on Sep. 10, 2024.
SOCCER
Mar 18, 2025
Japan set to seal World Cup spot as Son aims to forget Spurs woes
Japan will seal its spot with three qualifying matches to go if, as expected, it beats Bahrain at home in Saitama on Thursday.
Stuttgart's Anrie Chase applauds the fans after a match against Bayer Leverkusen on Nov. 1.
SOCCER
Dec 29, 2024
How Anrie Chase went from a Fukushima high school to playing against Real Madrid
Just three years ago, the Stuttgart defender was still playing for Shoshi High School in Koriyama. Now he's competing against the likes of Kylian Mbappe.

Longform

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