Coach Hajime Moriyasu said Japan have proved they have what it takes to one day win the World Cup following a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Monday. Japan lost in the last 32 after giving up a 1-0 half-time lead, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring an injury-time winner in Houston. Some of the Japan players […]
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Ancelotti says never doubted ‘suffering’ Brazil would score
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said he knew his “suffering” side would eventually score and praised their patience in reaching the World Cup last 16 with a last-gasp 2-1 win over Japan on Monday. Substitute Gabriel Martinelli pounced in the 95th minute in Houston for the five-time champions and sent dark horses Japan home. It was […]
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Martinelli late show as Brazil downs Japan to reach World Cup last 16
Substitute Gabriel Martinelli pounced deep in stoppage time as Brazil beat a stubborn Japan 2-1 on Monday to roll into the World Cup last 16. Arsenal winger Martinelli struck on 95 minutes in Houston to break Japanese hearts in the most dramatic fashion. The five-time champions will face either the Ivory Coast or Norway in […]
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Moriyasu praises ‘united’ Japan on eve of Brazil World Cup clash
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu says his side’s collective spirit can fire them into the World Cup last 16 when they face Brazil in Houston on Monday. Considered dark horses to go far in North America, Japan finished runners-up behind the Netherlands in their group with one win and two draws. On the eve of the […]
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Japan to play Brazil in World Cup knockouts after nervy Sweden draw
Japan will face Brazil in a World Cup last-32 clash after drawing 1-1 with Sweden on Thursday to send both teams through behind the Netherlands in Group F. A game in front of 70,000 in Texas burst into life in the second half, Daizen Maeda giving Japan the lead after the break before Anthony Elanga […]
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Japan striker Ueda channels frustration to send World Cup warning
Ayase Ueda warned Sweden his confidence was sky-high after the red-hot striker scored a classy World Cup brace to put Japan on the cusp of the knockout rounds. Japan thrashed Tunisia 4-0 on Saturday to join the Netherlands at the top of Group F and all but seal their place in the last 32 with […]
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Japan fight back in 2-2 Dutch thriller at World Cup
Japan scored an 88th-minute equalizer as they twice fought back to rescue a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in front of 69,285 in Texas on Sunday to open their World Cup campaigns. A match that had bubbled away in the first period sparked into life in the second half. Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk scored […]
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Japan captain Endo out of World Cup, ends international career
Japan captain Wataru Endo was ruled out of the World Cup with injury and announced his international retirement on Thursday, three days before his team’s opener against the Netherlands. The Liverpool midfielder pulled out of the tournament after failing to recover from a foot injury, and was replaced in Japan’s squad by Borussia Monchengladbach’s Shuto […]
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Nashville rolls out red carpet for the Samurai Blue
About 5,000 fans and Music City’s Mayor Freddie O’Connell showed up at Nashville SC’s Geodis Park for Japan’s welcoming ceremony and to watch Samurai Blue go through a light training session.
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Japan change World Cup training sites in Mexico over conditions
Japan’s World Cup squad had to twice change their training pitches in Mexico because of the poor condition of the fields, Japanese media said, in a turbulent start to preparations. Hajime Moriyasu’s side initially earmarked a practice pitch belonging to Tigres UANL in Monterrey after landing in Mexico this week. But the condition was poor […]