Japan is expected to continue its preparations for next year's World Cup finals with friendlies in Europe against Brazil and Belgium in November, a source said Sunday. Brazil and Belgium have also both qualified for Russia 2018, and the Japanese are in negotiations for the ...
Japan feels sorry it could not come through for Australia against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, but the Socceroos' minimal win over Thailand did not help matters, firing up the Saudis who saw an opportunity they did not let go of to qualify for their ...
Russia-bound Japan was condemned to a 1-0 defeat away to Saudi Arabia in its final World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night, a result that saw the Gulf state pip Australia for an automatic place at next year's finals. Substitute Fahad Al Muwallad struck the clincher ...
Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo was one of the stars of Thursday's 2-0 win over Australia that sealed automatic qualification for next year's World Cup finals. And there was cause for further celebration on Saturday as the Italy-based 30-year-old revealed he is set to become a ...
Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki on Saturday warned Japan not to take its foot off the pedal when it faces Saudi Arabia away in its final qualifier for the 2018 World Cup finals. With Vahid Halilhodzic's men having already secured qualification for Russia after their ...
With Japan facing Australia in an imminent soccer World Cup qualifier, the former's victory is a sure thing, one fortune-teller in the country claimed on Wednesday. Olivia, an African grey parrot who has made a name for himself as a psychic, picked Japan to win ...
Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic has called for 11 samurai warriors for Thursday's crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia and believes his players have the quality to beat the Socceroos and secure a berth at next year's finals in Russia. "Australia are the current Asian champions ...
Australia coach Ange Postecoglou said on Wednesday he will not take his foot off the gas even though the Socceroos' World Cup qualification chances were given a boost with Saudi Arabia's overnight loss to the United Arab Emirates. The second-place Saudis' 2-1 defeat means Australia, ...
Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda is hoping he gets the chance to produce more heroics against Australia when the Samurai Blue take on the Socceroos in Thursday's crucial World Cup qualifier at Saitama Stadium. The 31-year-old Honda secured Japan's berth at the 2014 World Cup finals ...
The Japan Football Association reiterated its support for national team coach Vahid Halilhodzic on Wednesday, responding to a report that said the federation could sack the Bosnian if Japan fails to beat Australia in its upcoming World Cup qualifier. Nikkan Sports, quoting an unnamed JFA ...
Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic admitted Saturday that injuries to striker Yuya Osako and midfielder Keisuke Honda are causing him concern ahead of the team's upcoming World Cup qualifier at home against Australia. The status of Cologne forward Osako appears to be in major doubt for ...
Up-and-coming midfielder Ritsu Doan had the 2018 Russia World Cup on his mind as he left for Europe on Wednesday to join Dutch first-division side FC Groningen on loan from Gamba Osaka. "I want to go to Russia. I am going to make a killer ...
