Tag - samurai-blue

 
 

SAMURAI BLUE

Japan's Junya Ito, seen during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is accused of involving himself in a sexual act with two women without their consent last year.
SOCCER
Feb 1, 2024
Japan midfielder Junya Ito accused of sexual assault
Police are probing the allegation, according to a major publisher's news website and an investigative source.
Iran's Mehdi Taremi celebrates after scoring against Syria during their Asian Cup match in Doha on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Feb 1, 2024
Iran promises to be 'more united' against Japan in Asian Cup quarterfinals
Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi said he saw Iran being dragged through extra time and penalties will make the team stronger for its match with Japan.
Japan's Wataru Endo (right) and Bahrain's Mohamed Al-Hardan vie for the ball during their Asian Cup match in Doha on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Feb 1, 2024
Wataru Endo warns Japan about road ahead after reaching Asian Cup quarterfinals
Questions remain for Hajime Moriyasu's side, which was the tournament favorite but has yet to keep a clean sheet in four games in Qatar.
Japan's Ritsu Doan (center) in action with Bahrain's Jasim Al-Shaikh during the two teams' Asian Cup last-16 clash in Doha on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Jan 31, 2024
Japan reaches Asian Cup last 8 with 3-1 win over Bahrain
While Japan progressed with little trouble, a shaky set-piece defense saw the side unable to keep a clean sheet once again.
Japan players train in Doha on Tuesday ahead of a last-16 knockout match against Bahrain in the Asian Cup tournament on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Jan 31, 2024
Moriyasu and Endo calmly confident ahead of Asian Cup knockouts
The Samurai Blue, 17th in the FIFA rankings, have had a six-day interval to ready themselves to face Bahrain.
Bahrain manager Juan Antonio Pizzi will lead his team against Japan in the last 16 of the Asian Cup on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Jan 26, 2024
Bahrain manager Juan Antonio Pizzi confident ahead of clash against Japan
Bahrain has "high morale" heading into its last-16 clash against Japan at the Asian Cup in Qatar, manager Juan Antonio Pizzi said Thursday.
Japan's Takumi Minamino (right) and Iraq's Ibrahim Bayesh vie for the ball during their Asian Cup match in Doha on Jan. 19.
SOCCER
Jan 26, 2024
Japan to face Bahrain in Asian Cup Round of 16
Japan clinched its spot in the knockout stage on with a 3-1 win over Indonesia on Wednesday.
Vietman's Pham Tuan Hai scores past Japan's Zion Suzuki (right) during their match at the Asian Cup in Doha on Jan. 14.
SOCCER
Jan 25, 2024
JFA condemns online abuse of Japan goalkeeper keeper Zion Suzuki
Japan Football Association President Kozo Tashima on Wednesday condemned online abuse directed at Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Japan players celebrate after Ayase Ueda scored the team's second goal during Samurai Blue's win over Indonesia on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Jan 24, 2024
Japan cruises past Indonesia to reach Asian Cup last 16
Ayase Ueda struck in each half to go with a late Indonesia own goal in Doha to send the pre-tournament favorites through as group runners-up behind Iraq.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma (left) in action with Crystal Palace's Nathaniel Clyne at Selhurtst Park, London, on Dec. 21. Mitoma has not played since hurting his ankle in the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
SOCCER
Jan 23, 2024
'Worry' for Japan as Mitoma misses training ahead of Asian Cup clash
The Brighton winger has not played since hurting his ankle in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Dec. 21.
Japan's Zion Suzuki (top) and Yukinari Sugawara (bottom) in action with Iraq's Youssef Amyn in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Friday.
SOCCER
Jan 23, 2024
Japan goalkeeper racially abused online after Asian Cup errors
The news comes after two instances of racist abuse directed at players in Italy and England during matches.
Iraq's Ahmed Yahya (left) and Japan's Ritsu Doan fight for the ball during their match at the Asian Cup on Friday.
SOCCER
Jan 22, 2024
Physical Arab teams taking fight to heavyweights at Asian Cup
Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta said "Arab teams playing on Arab turf" in Qatar must take the fight to their opponents.
Yasuhito Endo celebrates his goal with teammate Gotoku Sakai during an Asian Cup group match against Palestine in 2015.
SOCCER / J. League
Jan 21, 2024
Unorthodox Japan icon Yasuhito Endo signs off in typical fashion
Endo spent his entire career in Japan, amassing 672 J1 appearances with Kyoto Sanga, Gamba Osaka and Iwata.
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu will be wary of making too many changes after admitting that his tinkering against Iraq "had an effect on the players."
SOCCER
Jan 20, 2024
Shock Iraq defeat exposes Japan frailties at Asian Cup
The 2-1 loss leaves Samurai Blue facing a potential last-16 match with South Korea, assuming Japan still qualifies from its group.
Japan goalkeeper (23) reacts after Iraq scored its second goal on Friday in Al-Rayyan, Qatar.
SOCCER
Jan 19, 2024
Iraq stuns favorites Japan to reach Asian Cup last 16
It was Japan's first Asian Cup group-stage defeat in 26 matches and the loss sets them on a potential collision course with South Korea in the last 16 in Qatar.
Japan midfielder Takumi Minamino (8) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the team's win over Vietnam on Sunday at the Asian Cup in Doha.
SOCCER
Jan 14, 2024
Japan survives Vietnam scare to start Asian Cup title bid
Vietnam, which is coached by Japan's 2000 Asian Cup-winning boss Philippe Troussier, gave the Samurai Blue everything they could handle on Sunday.
Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo during a Champions League match in San Sebastian, Spain, in September.
SOCCER
Jan 13, 2024
Ex-Barcelona junior Kubo set for lift-off with Japan at Asian Cup
The 22-year-old has found his feet at Real Sociedad this season, scoring six goals and helping the club top its Champions League group.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is still dealing with the effects of an ankle injury and is undertaking a training program separate from the rest of manager Hajime Moriyasu's squad in Doha.
SOCCER
Jan 12, 2024
Tomiyasu wants to carry defensive load for Japan
The versatile defender had a breakout tournament at the previous Asian Cup but was ultimately left choking back tears following Japan's 3-1 loss in the final.
Kaoru Mitoma in action during the World Cup in Qatar in December 2022. Mitoma's availability for the Asian Cup, which begins Friday, is uncertain due to an injury.
SOCCER
Jan 11, 2024
Samurai Blue the favorites as Asian Cup kicks off
Samurai Blue manager Hajime Moriyasu's team has enjoyed a strong year since, losing only once in 12 matches and winning 4-1 in Germany in a friendly.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu during a news conference on Jan. 1.
SOCCER
Jan 10, 2024
Japan eases past Jordan 6-1 in Asian Cup warm-up
Seeking their record-extending fifth title, the Samurai Blue begin their Asian Cup against Vietnam on Sunday.

Longform

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.
The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces