One of the feel-good stories of last season has taken up the prestigious domestic trophy. However, this is hardly positive news. Urawa Red Diamonds of Andrew Nabbout has won the Emperor Cup by defeating Vegalta Sendai 1-0. Yet, they maintain the old record of Oswaldo Oliviera, the manager with a great record when it comes to Japanese football.
Japan were able to come up with a strong performance in the recent game against Kyrgyzstan. It was an impressive performance from the Asian team as they were able to enjoy a dominant 4-0 success in this final friendly match before they step into the Asian Cup next year.RyosukeYamanak, who was making his debut for the national team, was able to score after just two minutes on the clock. This actually set the tone for the match and Genki Haraguchi was able to add another for Japan in the middle of the first half. Japan then gained a strong grip on the match with goals from Yuya Osako and Shoya Nakajima.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said that his team is ready for the Asian Cup that will be held in the United Arab Emirates in January. He was speaking after his team last friendly game against Kyrgyzstan. Japan managed to win the game by 4-0.
The win means that Japan is now undefeated in 5 games since their new manager Hajime Moriyasu took charge of the team.
New Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu has decided to call up as many as six veterans for the upcoming match against Uruguay and Panama. The 50-year-old will be leading Japan for the first time after recently assuming office. The pressure of winning the first game in charge appears to have made the 50-year-old go for the trusted option veteran players like Yuya Osako, Yuto Nagatomo, and Maya Yoshida. These players will be linking up with the 23 man squad named for the games against Panama and Uruguay. The first of those games will be against Panama at Niigata while the match against Uruguay will be at Saitama.
Moriyasu has been in charge of the Olympic and the senior team since July. He decided to go with a less experienced group of players for the games against Chile and Costa Rica. Even though Japan did not play against Chile due to an earthquake cancellation, the national team did take on Costa Rica in the subsequent friendly match and were able to get a comfortable 3-0 win. The next four matches for the Japanese national team happen to be at home and they provide a good opportunity for Moriyasu to settle into his role. The 50-year-old has a tough job of having to improve Japan, who were unable to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Former Barcelona and Spain international midfielder Andres Iniesta believes that he has made the right decision to move to Japan in order to play for Vissel Kobe. He said that he feels at home in Japan and that he has been welcomed really well by his teammates as well as the fans.
Indeed Andres Iniesta has enjoyed a good opening to his Japanese career and has scored two goals so far this season in the Japanese league.
Japan has replaced their national coach Akira Nishino after their disappointing exit against Belgium. Indeed the Japanese team was leading by 2-0 with only 25 minutes left in the game and was ultimately beaten 3-2.
The Japanese Football Federation has decided that they will need another coach if they want the team to progress.
Akira Nishino said that he accepts the decision and believes that he has done his best for the team. He said that Japan has done their best in the World Cup and it is unfortunate that they could not win the game against Belgium. He said that they started the match well and did everything they can in order to control the game.
The Japan national football team calendar in 2017 is complete with the national team confirming an international friendly against New Zealand in Nagoya next month.
While New Zealand won the OFC Final Stage Playoff, Japan defeated Australia 2-0 in the AFC Stage Three Qualifiers to book their place in the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
New Zealand boss Hudson said the fixture, which will be for the Kirin Challenge Cup, would be a great test for his side in their final match before taking on the fifth-ranked South American team for a place at the FIFA World Cup.
“We are really pleased to have this international friendly with Japan confirmed,” said Hudson. “Japan are a top team and they are a team in form as they have qualified for the World Cup next year – their sixth World Cup in a row which is a great achievement.”
Australian football star Nathan Burns has moved to a Japanese side, reports confirm.
“I am honoured [to join] Sanfreece Hiroshima, which is one of the most successful clubs in Japan,” a statement credited to the player is on the club’s website.
Burns is expected to help the J-League side with their ambitions. The club confirmed the move for the 29-year old on Thursday. He was recently released from the deal he had with FC Tokyo but there were reports of offers in the A-League where he was expected to move to.
Asian soccer powerhouse Japan thrashed Thailand 4-0 on Tuesday to get their third successive victory in the AFC World Cup qualifiers. They are now set to top Group B with the result.
Japan have earned 16 points, three points more than Saudi Arabia who follow closely. Saudi Arabia are meeting Iraq on Tuesday. Australia are in third place after defeating United Arab Emirates 2-0.
Thai manager KiatisukSenamuangdecided to play the centre back TanaboonKesaratin defensive midfield but it did nothing to limit the onslaught of the Japanese. he made several changes to the team that started the match. KoravitNamwiset, PeerapatNotchaiya, AdisakKraisorn and WattanaPlaynumwere drafted in the War Elephant’s lineupbut the 2002 World Cup host had a potent attacking side that prevailed.
Japanese football witnessed yet another record, as Kazuyoshi Miura became the first player over 50 years to get a score in the country’s football league.
The former Japan international said he had “the vibes of a goal” and that he was just trying to stay positive before he netted. The player broke his previous record as the oldest goalscorer in J-league history as he held the record at 49 years, three months and 24 days. He has now set the new record at 50 years and 14 days.
He renewed his deal with the club in January, amidst strong speculations that he could retire. He has an amazing record, netting 55 times in 89 games for Japan.
Miura started his professional football career in South America, playing for popular Brazilian club Santos. He played there in the late 1980s before moving to Italy to feature for Genoa and Dinamo Zagreb in the 1990s.