March 27, 2013
Japan wasted a second half penalty as they blew the chance to become the first team to qualify for the World Cup finals when they were humbled 2-1 by Jordan in a pulsating clash in Amman on March 26.
March 21, 2013
BUSTO ARSIZIO, Italy--The problem of racism in sports, which is rampant in the European soccer world, will be the focus of the U.N.-sponsored International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21.
March 07, 2013
A gold replica of the left foot of soccer superstar Lionel Messi went on sale in Tokyo on March 7, with part of the proceeds going to young victims of the 2011 Tohoku disaster.
February 25, 2013
SEOUL--The Asian Champions League is clearly maturing as a competition as it enters its second decade, with famous players, World Cup-winning coaches and increasingly glamorous clubs in action during the opening round for 2013.
February 13, 2013
LAUSANNE--South Korean footballer Park Jong-woo will receive his bronze medal from the 2012 London Olympics despite triggering a diplomatic row in a match against Japan, the International Olympic Committee said on Feb. 12.
February 02, 2013
This year, former Japanese national soccer team manager Takeshi Okada will again be at the helm as manager of Hangzhou Greentown Football Club, a team in the Chinese Super League, China's top league.
January 24, 2013
FIFA spent about $1 million (89 million yen) to debut its new Goal Line Technology at December's Club World Cup in Japan. Unfortunately, there were no "on-the-line" situations in the Dec. 6-16 soccer tournament.
December 27, 2012
Realizing the limits of the domestic market, J.League officials are trying to expand in Asia by increasing the number of games broadcast and encouraging teams to tour Asian nations for friendlies.
December 03, 2012
South Korea's Park Jong-woo has been banned for two games by FIFA and fined 3,500 Swiss francs ($3,800) after he inflamed a diplomatic row with Japan at the London Olympic soccer tournament, the governing body said on Dec. 3.
December 03, 2012
Perennial Japanese title challengers Gamba Osaka were relegated from the J-League's top flight for the first time after a 2-1 defeat at Jubilo Iwata on Dec. 1.
December 02, 2012
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni got his wish when the Asian champions were drawn alongside his native Italy in next year's Confederations Cup in Brazil.
November 24, 2012
Sanfrecce Hiroshima captured their first J-League title on Nov. 24 after a 4-1 home win over Cerezo Osaka, earning them a spot at next month's FIFA Club World Cup.
November 15, 2012
A soccer team in Japan made up of North and South Korean nationals that has its roots dating back to the swinging 1960s has been an inspiration to Koreans living in Japan for decades.
October 30, 2012
DANDONG, China--Top soccer-boot maker Adidas probably shouldn't be worrying just yet but a rare venture that marries South Korean money with North Korean labor in the Chinese city of Dandong aims to make its mark on the world soccer scene.
October 17, 2012
Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo's record 123rd appearance for his country was spoiled by party poopers Brazil, who ran out 4-0 winners in their international friendly in Poland on Oct. 16.
October 16, 2012
Japan has reacted angrily to a French television host who showed a composite picture of national team goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima with four arms and made a joke about the "Fukushima effect."
October 14, 2012
SAINT-DENIS, France--France lost 1-0 at home to Japan on Oct.12 in a lackluster performance that will give coach Didier Deschamps plenty to worry about ahead of next week's crucial World Cup qualifier away to reigning world and European champion Spain.
October 05, 2012
She may be a star of Young Nadeshiko, the Under-20 national women’s soccer team, but Yoko Tanaka is merely a substitute on her home team, INAC Kobe Leonessa.
September 26, 2012
Just a month after getting his Japanese citizenship in August, Kaoru Morioka got his second piece of good news: the third-generation Japanese-Peruvian had been chosen as a candidate to represent Japan at the FIFA Futsal World Cup, to be held in Thailand in November.
September 25, 2012
Caught up in the action on the pitch and the adrenaline rush of the Olympics, Nadeshiko Japan coach Norio Sasaki said his team's achievement of winning the silver medal didn't sink in until after he returned home from London and watched the games on video.