Japan

  • Socceroos hoping for Japanese favours The Socceroos head into their crunch qualifier with Thailand at Melbourne's AAMI Park knowing that whatever the result, they face an anxious wait afterwards.. Sep 4
  • Japan forced to take cabs to training Japan's players had to scramble to training in taxis ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia after their team bus failed to show up at their hotel.. Sep 3
  • Japan skipper out of Saudi match Japan captain Makoto Hasebe has withdrawn from the team's final World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday, says the Japan Football Association.. Sep 3
  • Play like samurai v Socceroos: Japan coach Besieged Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic has called for his side to play like "11 samurai" in Thursday's must-win World Cup qualifier against the Socceroos.. Aug 30
  • Honda named in Japan squad for Socceroos Keisuke Honda is among 27 players named to Japan's squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Australia and Saudi Arabia. Aug 24
  • Japan sneak past Saudis in Saitama A first-half penalty from Hiroshi Kiyotake helped Japan to a much-needed 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in the third round of qualification for the 2018 World Cup at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday.. Nov 15
  • UAE stun Japan in Saitama Ahmed Khalil scored twice as United Arab Emirates punished Japan for missing a host of chances by winning 2-1 at the Saitama Stadium in the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.. Sep 1
  • Japan beat Cambodia in World Cup qualifier Japan eased past Cambodia 3-0 on Thursday to secure their first win of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. Sep 3
  • Kagawa, Honda to lead Japan v WC18 minnows Under-fire Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic called up big guns Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa on Thursday for the World Cup qualifiers against minnows Cambodia and Afghanistan.. Aug 27
  • Japan beat Iraq 4-0 in WC18 warm-up Japan beat Iraq 4-0 on Thursday in a friendly ahead of their qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Jun 11
  • Miyama lifts Japan past Swiss in Cup A first-half penalty converted by captain Aya Miyama got defending champions' Japan's Women's World Cup campaign off to a winning start against Switzerland on Monday.. Jun 9
  • Aguierre under pressure after Japan exit Under-fire Japan coach Javier Aguirre faces more uncertainty about his future following the Samurai Blue's shock Asian Cup quarter-final exit. Jan 23
  • Japan sent crashing out of the Asian Cup Asian Cup holders Japan have been sent crashing out at the quarter-final stage by the United Arab Emirates, going down 5-4 on penalties in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament's history.. Jan 23
  • Japan-UAE playmakers take centre stage Two of the biggest stars of the Asian Cup face off in Sydney on Friday when Japan's Keisuke Honda and the UAE's Omar Abdulrahman battle for a spot in next week's semi-finals.. Jan 21
  • Japan star Honda blasts Asian Cup schedule Japan playmaker Keisuke Honda has fired a volley at Asian Cup organisers over the tournament's punishing schedule, just days after being fined for slamming the standard of refereeing.. Jan 20
  • Aguirre warns of tougher tests to come A third straight win and clean sheet has Japan poised nicely as the Asian Cup enters the knock-out phase. Jan 20
  • Japan continues Asian Cup wins Japan has secured top place in their Asian Cup group and a quarter-final date with United Arab Emirates by defeating Jordan 2-0. Jan 20
  • Jordan chasing group D upset against Japan They're playing in the Asian Cup but Jordan boss Ray Wilkins says European football will be a decisive factor in the continental tournament. Jan 19
  • One goal 'not enough' for wasteful Japan Japan's inability to convert in front of goal could come back to bite them at the Asian Cup, defender Maya Yoshida has admitted. Jan 16
  • Japan too good for Iraq Defending champions Japan provided a timely reminder of why they are the raging Asian Cup favourites with a smooth 1-0 victory over Iraq on Friday night in Brisbane.. Jan 16