Japan - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights



Japan hope to slay Brazil without star player in World Cup knockouts
In a friendly in Tokyo last October, Brazil surrendered a two-goal halftime lead and watched Japan pull ahead for an eventual 3-2 victory.,Rayan, a 19-year-old forward, was not part of Brazil's team that day, so perhaps he can be forgiven for admitting he doesn't know much about the Japanese squad.,...

Japan star Takefusa Kubo (knee) out vs. Brazil
Japan won't have star winger Takefusa Kubo for their World Cup round of 32 match vs. Brazil on Monday in Houston.,Kubo suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee during Japan's tournament opener against the Netherlands on June 14. He was held out of the Samurai Blue's remaining group-stage matches ag...

Young Rayan, Brazil take aim at Japan in World Cup clash
In a friendly in Tokyo last October, Brazil surrendered a two-goal halftime lead and watched Japan pull ahead for an eventual 3-2 victory.,Rayan, a 19-year-old forward, was not part of Brazil's team that day, so perhaps he can be forgiven for admitting he doesn't know much about the Japanese squad.,...

Japan, thanks to late saves, draw with Sweden, finish second in Group F
Zion Suzuki made four saves, including two big ones in stoppage time to preserve the tie, as Japan finished in second place in World Cup Group F with a 1-1 draw against Sweden on Thursday in Arlington, Texas.,Japan (1-0-2, 5 points) finished as the runner-up to Netherlands (2-0-1, 7 points) and will...

Sweden's Isak Hien helped off field with injury vs. Japan
Swedish defender Isak Hien had to be helped the field with an apparent left hamstring injury in the first half of the team's Group F match with Japan on Thursday night in Arlington, Texas.,Hien went down in the penalty box after stretching the leg out to try and deflect a crossing pass by Yukinari S...

Japan shut out Tunisia, which will not advance from group stage
Ayase Ueda scored twice and had an assist to help Japan to a 4-0 Group F victory on Saturday night in Monterrey, Mexico, to eliminate Tunisia and spoil the debut of their coach Herve Renard.,Tunisia (0-2-0, 0 points) were eliminated while Japan and Netherlands each have four points (1-0-1) and a plu...

Continuing tradition, fans of Japan clean up postgame
Fans of Japan's World Cup soccer team might be forgiven for acting a little raucous following their squad's 2-2 draw against the Netherlands on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.,Instead, as is their custom, they spent their time post-match picking up trash at AT&T Stadium in large plastic bags.,Daichi Kam...

On late goal, Japan earn draw vs. Netherlands in opener
Daichi Kamada's deflected goal in the 88th minute was the second tying tally of the second half for Japan, who scraped out a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in the World Cup opener for both teams Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas.,Off a corner kick delivered from Junya Ito, Koki Ogawa elevated in t...

Japan coach takes responsibility for Wataru Endo going home
Two days after Japanese captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the World Cup due to an ankle injury, his coach Hajime Moriyasu told reporters that he took responsibility for the decision.,Following his withdrawal, Endo announced his retirement from international competition altogether.,Moriyasu spoke wit...

Japan's Wataru Endo out of World Cup, international career over
Japanese captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the World Cup due to injury Thursday and announced his retirement from international competition.,The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder has been dealing with an ankle injury that required surgery in February. He was hoping to be fit for the competition in No...

Japan ditch pre-World Cup pitch in Monterrey due to poor conditions
Japan are making a brief stay in Monterrey, Mexico, during their World Cup journey, but the early returns have not been encouraging.,In fact, Japan changed practice venues within the city Thursday after encountering subpar conditions at Tigres UANL's field.,Video of Japan training at Tigres' facilit...

Japan's Ryuichi Oiwa fires 61 to qualify for U.S. Open
Japan's Ryuichi Oiwa carded a 61 in the second round on Monday and joined two countrymen in claiming spots in next month's U.S. Open.,Oiwa finished the 36-hole qualifying event in Hino, Japan, at 12-under 128, one stroke ahead of Kaito Onishi and two ahead of Taihei Sato.,Fourth- and fifth-place fin...
