Japan Related Content
North Korean World Cup player says Japan qualifier more than football
AFP · 1 day ago
An Yong Hak was born and raised in Japan but he will be cheering for his former team North Korea when the two sides clash in a World Cup qualifier in Tokyo on Thursday.
Mbappe bags hat-trick as PSG hit six, David continues scoring streak
AFP · 1 day ago
An unstoppable Kylian Mbappe hit a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain romped to a 6-2 win away to Montpellier on Sunday that allowed them to open up a huge 12-point lead at the top of Ligue 1.
Ito hailed by Reims coach for 'mental strength' amid sexual assault claim
AFP · 1 day ago
Reims coach Will Still praised "key player" Junya Ito for the Japanese star's mental strength after he put off-field troubles to one side to score the winner as his club beat Metz 2-1 in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
Ito left out of Japan squad amid sexual assault claim
AFP · 5 days ago
Junya Ito was on Thursday left out of Japan's squad to face North Korea home and away in World Cup qualifiers, a month after he exited the Asian Cup over sexual assault allegations.
Japan's Maeda marks 100th Celtic game with hat-trick
AFP · 1 week ago
Japan's Daizen Maeda marked his 100th Celtic appearance with a hat-trick as the holders booked their place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals with a 4-2 win against Livingston on Saturday.
Japan beat North Korea to clinch Olympic spot
AFP · 2 weeks ago
Japan punched their ticket to the Paris Olympics women's football competition with a hard-fought 2-1 win over North Korea in Wednesday's qualifying second leg in a chilly Tokyo.
Coach urges Japan to be 'aggressive' against N. Korea in Olympic showdown
AFP · 3 weeks ago
Coach Futoshi Ikeda promised Japan would be "aggressive" against North Korea as they look to qualify for the Paris Olympics in a winner-takes-all women's football showdown in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan's Premier League winner Okazaki to retire: reports
AFP · 3 weeks ago
Former Japan international Shinji Okazaki, who won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, is to announce he will retire at the end of the season, Japanese media reported Monday.
Japan women's captain condemns Asian football chiefs over venue switch
AFP · 3 weeks ago
Japan women's captain Saki Kumagai has criticised Asian football officials after the away leg of their tie against North Korea for a spot at the Paris Olympics was moved to Saudi Arabia days before the game.
Japan's Ito sues accusers over sexual assault claim
AFP · 4 weeks ago
Japan international footballer Junya Ito is suing two women who accused him of sexual assault for 200 million yen ($1.3 million) in damages, his lawyer said.
Messi says leg 'getting better' but could miss Japan match
AFP · 1 month ago
Lionel Messi said Tuesday his leg injury was "getting better" but the World Cup-winning captain could not guarantee he would be fit to play in Inter Miami's pre-season friendly in Japan this week.
Japan's Asian Cup exit sparks wider questions ahead of N. Korea trip
AFP · 1 month ago
Japan's premature Asian Cup exit and the nature of it has triggered deeper introspection about the state of the national side, with a daunting trip to North Korea for World Cup qualifying in a matter of weeks.
Coach says Japan must improve in 'many aspects' after Asian Cup exit
AFP · 1 month ago
Coach Hajime Moriyasu said Japan must improve "in many aspects" and took full responsibility after they were dumped out 2-1 by Iran in the Asian Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
Iran score 96th-minute winner to stun Japan and reach Asian Cup semis
AFP · 1 month ago
Iran will play hosts and holders Qatar or Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup semi-finals after Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored a 96th-minute penalty for a dramatic 2-1 win over Japan on Saturday.
Goalkeeping woes threaten Japan's Asian Cup hopes
AFP · 1 month ago
Japan's Asian Cup risks being fatally undermined by coach Hajime Moriyasu's reliance on an error-prone rookie goalkeeper and he has left himself with no convincing alternatives.
Iran survive penalty drama to book Asian Cup clash with Japan
AFP · 1 month ago
Iran will meet pre-tournament favourites Japan in the Asian Cup quarter-finals after surviving extra time with 10 men before defeating Syria 5-3 on penalties on Wednesday.
Mitoma returns as Japan beat Bahrain to reach Asian Cup quarter-finals
AFP · 1 month ago
Kaoru Mitoma returned as Japan survived a second-half wobble to set up an Asian Cup quarter-final with Iran or Syria after a 3-1 win over Bahrain on Wednesday.
Japan flak at Asian Cup 'a sign of respect', says coach
AFP · 1 month ago
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said criticism of his team at the Asian Cup was "a sign of respect"
Japan coach admits 'risk' over injured Mitoma at Asian Cup
AFP · 1 month ago
Taking Kaoru Mitoma to the Asian Cup had been "a risk", Japan's coach Hajime Moriyasu said Thursday, with the injured Brighton winger yet to play and no timescale for his return.
Japan into Asian Cup last 16 as Iraq win five-goal thriller
AFP · 1 month ago
Japan cruised into the Asian Cup last 16 on Wednesday and a possible date with South Korea, as already qualified Iraq came out on top in a five-goal thriller.