Halilhodzic vows to remain Japan boss despite other lucrative offers
Vahid Halilhodzic lashed out at his critics Friday and said he will stay on as Japan national team coach out of loyalty, despite revealing that he has received other lucrative job offers. "This is the first time I am saying this but I have had ...
Honda says Halilhodzic made right call in leaving him on bench
Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda said Friday he had no complaints about being benched for Thursday's 2-0 World Cup-qualifying win over Australia, but admitted he would have considered quitting the game had it been at the finals. Young guns Takuma Asano and Yosuke Ideguchi were the ...
Japan secures spot in sixth consecutive World Cup
Takuma Asano and Yosuke Ideguchi scored in each half to book Japan's place at the 2018 World Cup with a 2-0 win over Australia on Thursday. Japan went into the game at Saitama Stadium knowing that it would qualify for a sixth straight World Cup ...
Halilhodzic calls for 11 samurai warriors ahead of crucial qualifier against Australia
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 ...
Yoshida, Japan teammates await important match against Australia
Japan defender Maya Yoshida insists he and his teammates are relaxed ahead of Thursday's crunch World Cup qualifier against Australia despite rumors that manager Vahid Halilhodzic will be fired if the Samurai Blue fail to win. "To be honest it's really calm, because we all ...
Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic could be in for a selection headache for the World Cup qualifier against Australia after defender Yuto Nagatomo asked for his own substitution in Inter Milan's 3-1 win at Roma on Saturday. Nagatomo, who has been called up for Thursday's Australia ...
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 manager Halilhodzic expresses concern over injuries ahead of World Cup qualifier
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 ...
Halilhodzic forced into midfield reshuffle for Iraq qualifier
Japan midfielder Hotaru Yamaguchi remains doubtful and could force coach Vahid Halilhodzic into further tinkering for the World Cup qualifier against Iraq on Tuesday, when a win would massively boost the chance of a finals appearance in a year's time in Russia. "This is the ...
Halilhodzic demands fast start in qualifier after first-half no-show against Syria
Japan manager Vahid Halilhodzic has warned his players that they are in for a rude surprise if they tackle next week's World Cup qualifier against Iraq with the same laissez-faire attitude with which they began Wednesday's 1-1 friendly draw with Syria. "In the first half, ...
Japan warms up for World Cup qualifier with draw against Syria
Japan limbered up for next week's World Cup qualifier against Iraq with a 1-1 draw with Syria in a friendly on Wednesday night. Japan, which currently tops its qualifying group ahead of Saudi Arabia on goal difference and is looking to take a big step ...
