December 08, 2011
Japan will not bid for the Club World Cup in 2013 and 2014 to give the country a better chance of staging major women's tournaments.
December 07, 2011
This article was contributed by a veteran freelance photographer, who was allowed to accompany the Japanese national soccer team for a World Cup qualifying match in Pyongyang on Nov. 15. Only 10 reporters and photographers from Japan were allowed into reclusive North Korea to cover the match.
December 07, 2011
SEOUL -- While Japan finished East Asia's football season on a high at the weekend, China and South Korea will look back on a year dominated by scandal, missed opportunities and unfulfilled promise.
December 06, 2011
Midfielder Leandro Domingues, who scored 15 goals in 30 games for J.League champion Kashiwa Reysol, was named MVP of the 2011 season at a ceremony in Yokohama on Dec. 5.
December 06, 2011
Barcelona, while red-hot favorites to win their second Club World Cup in three years, know the 20,000-kilometer round trip to Japan and back could come at a heavy cost.
December 03, 2011
Taking matters into their own hands, Kashiwa Reysol delivered the goods Dec. 3, earning a 3-1 victory over the Urawa Reds at Saitama Stadium to clinch the first J.League title in the club history.
December 01, 2011
No glass slippers here, please, because Nadeshiko Japan forward and INAC Kobe Leonessa captain Nahomi Kawasumi hates being referred to as the "Cinderella of the Nadeshiko."
November 30, 2011
Former Japanese national team player Wagner Lopes will take over as manager of J.League club Gamba Osaka next season, according to a team official.
November 29, 2011
It's been a very good year for Aya Miyama. The pint-sized midfielder was recently named the Asian Football Confederation Women's Player of the Year, capping off a year in which she also earned a Women's World Cup gold medal.
November 28, 2011
Midfielder Yuki Otsu headed home the winner late in the second half as Japan's Under-22 squad edged Syria 2-1 at Tokyo's National Stadium on Nov. 27.
November 24, 2011
The manager with the most wins in J.League history will be out of a job at the end of the season.
November 24, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR--Nadeshiko Japan midfielder Aya Miyama was named Asian Football Confederation Women's Player of the Year at a ceremony held here Nov. 23.
November 23, 2011
Samurai Blue soccer player Masahiko Inoha is enjoying rock star status in Croatia, being recognized wherever he goes and getting things for free.
November 23, 2011
MANAMA, Bahrain--Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Yuki Otsu opened the scoring late in the first half as Japan's under-22 squad dumped the Bahrain side 2-0 on Nov. 22 in an Asian qualifying match for the London Olympics.
November 22, 2011
Fresh off the national team's historic World Cup title in July, Japan's professional women's soccer league enjoyed a renewed interest and record crowds in the second half of the 2011 season. But given the up and down popularity of the women's game in Japan and abroad, many are wondering how long it will last.
November 22, 2011
SEOUL -- Arsenal hosts Borussia Dortmund in a UEFA Champions League game that could pit South Korea captain Park Chu-young against Japanese star Shinji Kagawa on Nov. 23 but which prevents either of them being named as the 2011 Asian Player of the Year.
November 21, 2011
Kashiwa Reysol maintained their top position in the J.League after coming from behind to edge Shimizu S-Pulse 2-1 at Outsourcing Stadium in Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Nov. 20.
November 19, 2011
Over-zealous North Korean customs officers may have contributed to Japan's first defeat under Italian Alberto Zaccheroni earlier this week after confiscating his favorite tube of wasabi.
November 18, 2011
NAGOYA--The winner of the J.League will play Oceania representative Auckland City in the opening match of the Club World Cup, to be hosted by Japan from Dec. 8.
November 17, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR -- Homare Sawa is in line for another football honor after leading Japan to the Women's World Cup title this year.