Tag - samurai-blue

 
 

SAMURAI BLUE

SOCCER / From the Spot
Mar 26, 2021
Japan-South Korea rivalry lives on after Samurai Blue's emphatic win
Hajime Moriyasu's men impressed with a dominating attack in their first full-strength encounter against the Taeguk Warriors since August 2011.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Mar 25, 2021
Japan comfortably beats rival South Korea in friendly
The Samurai Blue defeated the visitors 3-0, with Miki Yamane, Daichi Kamada and Wataru Endo scoring in Japan's first home game since November 2019.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Mar 18, 2021
Samurai Blue squad announced as JFA prepares for protective 'bubble'
Japan will host archrival South Korea in a March 25 friendly at Yokohama's Nissan Stadium before facing Mongolia in a World Cup qualifier on March 30.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Jan 6, 2021
J. League chairman urges Samurai Blue hopefuls to go to Europe
Mitsuru Murai sees 2018 World Cup champion France's squad, which plays club soccer mostly outside its home country, as a model for Japan's young stars.
SOCCER / J. League
Nov 1, 2020
Japanese soccer legend Kengo Nakamura to retire
After his miraculous comeback from an ACL injury sustained last year, the former J. League MVP will hang up his boots at 40.
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jan 22, 2020
Hajime Moriyasu running out of time to right Olympic ship
With just half a year to go until the Summer Olympics, Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu is running out of time and sympathy.
SOCCER
Dec 10, 2019
Musashi Suzuki scores as Japan beats China
Musashi Suzuki bagged his first international goal to help lead Japan to a 2-1 win over China in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship on Tuesday.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Oct 10, 2019
Samurai Blue rout Mongolia 6-0 in 2022 World Cup qualifier
In the sumo ring, wrestlers from Mongolia rule the roost against their Japanese opponents.
SOCCER / From the Spot
Sep 4, 2019
Moriyasu relies heavily on overseas players
The Samurai Blue are coming from increasingly far away.
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jul 10, 2019
Belgium-bound Samurai Blue goalkeeper Daniel Schmidt prepares to dive into deep end
When goalkeeper Daniel Schmidt lines up between the posts on Saturday night, he will be wearing Vegalta Sendai's crest for the last time.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jun 26, 2019
Tourney defeats hint at Tokyo 2020 potential
In the space of nearly 24 hours, Japan's hopes at two major international tournaments were extinguished.
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jun 12, 2019
Poor scheduling holding back Samurai Blue
Between the U-20 World Cup, the U-22 Toulon Tournament and a Copa America which could see over a dozen Tokyo 2020-eligible players earn their first Samurai Blue caps, it's been an exciting month for Japan supporters awaiting the Olympic men's soccer tournament.
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
May 8, 2019
Trio of young J. Leaguers could debut for Samurai Blue next month
Three of the J. League's youngest stars will likely receive Samurai Blue debuts and a trip to Brazil as head coach Hajime Moriyasu looks to accelerate their development.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Feb 4, 2019
Restrictions on Japan's soccer media lead to frayed relations with players
In the days since Japan's 3-1 defeat to Qatar in the 2019 Asian Cup final, Japan's soccer media has had plenty of time to unload its takes, whether first, second or simply hot.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jan 31, 2019
Do or die for Samurai Blue
This week has provided ample opportunity for all of us who doubted Japan's ability to reach the Asian Cup final to take a long, deep drink from the fountain of hubris.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jan 27, 2019
Japan-Iran semi has high stakes, little drama
In the heat of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, a certain candidate promised his supporters that they would be "tired of winning."
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jan 23, 2019
Japan fails to shift attack into gear
"Defense wins championships," as the old saying goes.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jan 20, 2019
Japan must step up after shaky group stage
No more friendlies. No more minnows. No more excuses. Warmups are over for the Samurai Blue.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jan 10, 2019
Defensively woeful Japan unconvincing in tight win over Turkmenistan
From the moment Japan and Turkmenistan stepped onto the Al Nahyan Stadium pitch wearing their respective first uniforms of blue and green, fans watching on TV and online complained of a color clash making for difficult viewing.
SOCCER
Oct 17, 2018
New stars shine for Samurai Blue
A squad in transition following a surprisingly successful run in the World Cup. A new head coach establishing his vision. A South American opponent ranked fifth in the world. A sold-out Saitama Stadium. An impressive win that fans will look back on as having set the tone for the upcoming four-year cycle...

Longform

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