Former Spain internationals David Villa and Andres Iniesta each struck twice to lead Vissel Kobe to a 5-3 home win over Nagoya Grampus in the J. League first division on Sunday. Playing in its third league match under newly appointed head coach Thorsten Fink, Vissel ...
Andres Iniesta guides Vissel Kobe past FC Tokyo
After four no-shows at high-capacity stadiums in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area and just one Kanto appearance last October in Kawasaki, Andres Iniesta finally stood on a pitch in the capital in front of over 38,000 fans. Even Saturday's persistent rain stopped to take in ...
Vissel Kobe hire ex-Hamburger SV boss Thorsten Fink as new manager
Vissel Kobe on Saturday named former Hamburger SV boss Thorsten Fink as their new manager. He replaces Takayuki Yoshida. The 51-year-old German takes the reins with Vissel languishing in 13th place in the J. League first-division table after 14 games. Spaniard Juan Manuel Lillo stepped ...
Serginho struck his first goal of the J. League first-division campaign Sunday as Kashima Antlers outclassed struggling Vissel Kobe 1-0. The Brazilian forward found the net in the 17th minute at Noevir Stadium to consign Vissel to its sixth straight league defeat. With a host of ...
Vissel faces challenges after week of turmoil
Seven weeks ago, David Villa's first J. League goal in front of an enthusiastic home crowd led even the most cynical of observers to wonder whether this could be the year that perennial underperformer Vissel Kobe would finally put together a campaign worthy of ...
Andres Iniesta replaces Lukas Podolski as Vissel Kobe captain
Andres Iniesta on Tuesday was named Vissel Kobe's new captain, a week after German teammate Lukas Podolski relinquished the armband. The club announced on Twitter that the Spanish great, who has been at the club for less than a year, would be taking over the ...
Reds battle past struggling Vissel
Once again, the stage was set for Andres Iniesta to dazzle in front of a gigantic crowd at Saitama Stadium. But once again he was a no-show, disappointing large contingents of both traveling supporters and media who anticipated a chance to see the former Barcelona ...
FC Barcelona to meet Chelsea, Vissel Kobe in summer friendlies in Japan
FC Barcelona will face English Premier League veteran Chelsea and the J. League's Vissel Kobe this July, adding to the list of star-studded club friendlies set to take place in Japan this summer. The Spanish first-division leader, which last October announced plans to visit Japan ...
Vissel add Sergi Samper to loaded lineup
Vissel Kobe has added another name to its ever-growing list of Barcelona connections. The J. League first-division club announced on Thursday the signing of defensive midfielder Sergi Samper, who will become the third player to trade the famed Spanish side's blue and red for Kobe's ...
With super club dreams, Vissel Kobe tries to rewrite history
Most sports writers have their own personal pantheon of inspirations. At the top of mine is Hunter S. Thompson. The legendary gonzo journalist was never a soccer person ("Hey Rube," his published collection of essays for ESPN.com, mentions the sport just once in passing), but ...
Vissel edge Sagan on David Villa's goal
The fireworks around the Noevir Stadium pitch lit up as the players made their entrance. The fireworks on the pitch took slightly longer. With an open roof and a number of upgrades in place for this fall's Rugby World Cup, the hallowed Kansai ground played host ...
