Cho Wi-je was playing in South Korea’s second division a year ago. Now he is heading to the World Cup after being called up as a late injury replacement. The 24-year-old defender has been drafted into South Korea’s squad after Cho Yu-min was ruled out with a foot injury following the 5-0 friendly win over […]
Andrew McKirdy
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Feisty Japan veteran Nagatomo still hungry at record fifth World Cup
Mellowing with age was never likely for Japan’s 39-year-old Yuto Nagatomo, who is as irrepressible as ever as he prepares for his fifth World Cup — an Asian record. The left-back may not be able to get around the pitch as quickly as he could during his Inter Milan heyday, but his relentless enthusiasm could […]
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South Korea’s Son ‘feeling great’ for World Cup despite goal drought
Son Heung-min said he was “feeling great” ahead of the World Cup and backed himself to perform despite suggestions that South Korea’s talismanic captain’s powers are on the wane. The 33-year-old skipper has scored only two goals since leaving Premier League Tottenham for Los Angeles FC in the MLS in August last year. He has […]
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Buoyant Japan coach targets World Cup glory despite Mitoma blow
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu believes his team can win the World Cup after historic friendly wins over Brazil and England, despite the loss of Kaoru Mitoma dampening the mood. Brighton winger Mitoma will miss the World Cup after suffering a hamstring injury less than a week before Moriyasu named his squad. Japan have never gone […]
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J.League preview: Muto leads Kobe’s charge for third consecutive title
The new Japanese season kicks off on Friday.
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Drama, dreams: Japan’s wildly popular high school soccer breeds future stars
Japan’s national high school soccer tournament is thriving after more than 100 years, attracting huge crowds, millions watching on TV and breeding future stars.
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Japan holds Australia, South Korea and China win
Japan denied Australia a famous away victory after a 1-1 draw in Saitama in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday while South Korea and China both won. Australia had never beaten Japan on Japanese soil but a Shogo Taniguchi own goal just before the hour gave the visitors a shock lead in front of a crowd […]
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Champions League aims to put Asian women’s soccer on map
Women’s soccer in Asia can close the gap on Europe and North America with this week’s launch of the AFC Women’s Champions League, say players from Japan’s Urawa Reds Ladies.
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North Korean World Cup player says Japan qualifier more than soccer
An Yong Hak was born and raised in Japan but he will be cheering for his former team North Korea when the teams clash in a World Cup qualifier in Tokyo.
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Goalkeeping woes threaten Japan’s Asian Cup hopes
Coach Hajime Moriyasu has left himself with no convincing alternatives.