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☆ Son bags double for South Korea as top sides win in Asian qualifiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Japan, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia all won, while Kuwait and North Korea scored a flurry of goals en route to victories. Australia and Palestine players stood for a minute's silence ahead of their game, which was played in Kuwait due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Son was in top form as South Korea completed back-to-back wins at the start of their challenge for a place at the 2026 finals. Players held a minute's silence ahead of kickoff before Souttar scored the game's only goal with an 18th-minute header. Kuwait, meanwhile, thrashed Afghanistan 4-0 away to move into second place in Group A behind Qatar.

Persons: Korea's Son Heung, Min, Tingshu Wang, Ueda, Heung, Son, Yan Junling, Lee Kang, Jung Seung, Yan, Thais, Suphanat Mueanta, Mano Polking's, Ayase Ueda, Hajime Moriyasu's, Jong Il Gwan, Harry Souttar, Kuwait's Jaber Al, Souttar, Oston Orunov, Igor Sergeev, Mohanad Ali, Jesus Casas, Darren Lok, Amadoni Kamolov, Saudi Arabia's Saleh Al Shehri, Jordan, Abdalla, Ali Mabkhout, Michael Church, Angelica Medina, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, AFC, Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre, REUTERS, China, Japan, North Korea, Thailand, Singapore, North, Syrians, Syria, Palestine, Ahmad, Iraq, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, United, Bahrain, Thomson Locations: China, Republic of Korea, Shenzhen, Republic, Korea's, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, Korea, Myanmar, Syria Australia, Palestine, HONG KONG, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, North, Israel, Syria, Jeddah, North Korea, Yangon, Australia's, Gaza, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Iran, Hong Kong, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Manila, Oman, India, Yemen, Nepal, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Islamabad, Saudi, Afghanistan

☆ Goals flow as Asia's top nations make winning start to World Cup qualifying
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Doan scored the fifth four minutes from time with a cool finish as the Japanese made light work of their visitors. Australia were also untroubled as they completed a 7-0 demolition of Bangladesh in Group I with Jamie Maclaren stepping off the bench to score a second half hat-trick. Maclaren did all the damage in the second half, scoring from a Jordan Bos cross shortly after the restart before pouncing again in the 70th when a Massimo Luongo shot pinged off goalkeeper Mitul Marma. The South Koreans, meanwhile, scored four times in the second half to hand Singapore a 5-0 defeat at Seoul World Cup Stadium, with captain Son Heung-min among the scorers. Cho Gue-sung put Juergen Klinsmann's team in front a minute before the halftime break and Hwang Hee-chan added the second four minutes into the second half.

Persons: Japan's Ayase Ueda, Hajime Moriyasu, Ueda, Takumi Minamino's lofted, Daichi Kamada, dink, Doan, Jamie Maclaren, Mitchell Duke, Harry Souttar, Brandon Borrello, Duke, Maclaren, Jordan Bos, pouncing, Massimo Luongo, pinged, Mitul Marma, Lewis Miller, Son Heung, Cho Gue, Juergen, Hwang Hee, Hwang Ui, Lee Kang, Michael Church, Ian Ransom, Ken Ferris Organizations: Myanmar, Suita, 183rd, Melbourne, South, Seoul, Thomson Locations: OSAKA, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Syria, Jeddah, Osaka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Singapore, Korea

☆ Al-Dawsari, Kerr take Asian confederation's Player of the Year awards
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 31 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Salem Al-Dawsari has been named the Asian Football Confederation's Player of the Year with Chelsea and Australia forward Sam Kerr taking the women's title at the regional body's awards ceremony in Doha on Tuesday. Al-Dawsari, who scored Saudi Arabia's winner in their shock 2-1 victory over Argentina at the World Cup last year, took the men's award after also leading Al-Hilal to the final of the Asian Champions League and the Club World Cup. The awards were being held for the first time in four years as a result of the disruption caused to the game across the continent by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kerr, who on Monday had finished as runner-up in the Ballon d'Or vote in Paris, won her award for the second time having previously been named the confederation's best female player in 2017. Shui Qingxia claimed the honours in the women's coaching category after she led China to the Women's Asian Cup last February in India, the country's first continental title since 2006.

Persons: Salem, Dawsari, Sam Kerr, Qatar's Almoez Ali, Mathew Leckie of, Kerr, Aya Miyama, Homare Sawa, China's Zhang Linyang, Saki Kumagai, Japan's Hajime Moriyasu, Shui Qingxia, Michael Church, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Football, Chelsea, Saudi Arabia's, Asian Champions League, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Australia, Doha, Argentina, Al, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, Paris, China's, Japan, Germany, Spain, China, India

☆ The Weapon That World Cup Managers Don’t Use Enough: Substitutions
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

DOHA, Qatar—When Japan entered halftime down 1-0 to Spain in the group stage of this World Cup, coach Hajime Moriyasu knew precisely what to do: begin substituting his players far earlier than soccer orthodoxy would advise. For Moriyasu, it was a formula that worked. After substitutes had scored both goals in Japan’s comeback against Germany, they lifted the Samurai Blue over another European giant, this time Spain. Japan pulled off two epic comeback wins by substituting early and often. In both of those games, Moriyasu made his first changes at the half.

☆ Shocks aplenty but Asia again unrepresented at business end
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

DOHA, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Asia will again be unrepresented in the World Cup quarter-finals but several upset wins and vibrant displays have many in the continent feeling that the gap to the best teams is closing. Japan, South Korea and Australia made it out of the group stage for a record representation in the last 16 but none were able emulate the 2002 Taegeuk Warriors and the North Korean side of 1966 by making the quarter-finals. All the people that are involved in the football in Asia as well as Japan I think can share our happiness." Of all the success for the Asian confederation sides, Australia's progressing to the last 16 was perhaps the most surprising given they had scraped into the tournament via two playoffs. "I do believe that Asian football is getting stronger and stronger and stronger, and we're catching up quickly."

☆ Analysis: Agony in Qatar again as Samurai Blue fail to find World Cup nerve
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

That moment is known in Japan as "the agony of Doha" and remains one of the country's biggest soccer setbacks. Despite missing their goal of a last eight finish, he said his team showed a new era of Japanese soccer had begun. "We couldn't break the barrier towards the final eight, but the players were able to show a new generation of Japanese soccer," he said. "We beat Germany and Spain - World Cup champions. We should be confident in our ability and if we aim not just to catch up to but to surpass, I think there will be a different future ahead for Japanese soccer."

☆ Japan depart with big wins but quarter-final dream unfulfilled
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Moriyasu transformed the game with five substitutions and was rewarded with late goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano for what was probably Japan's greatest victory on a football pitch. His confidence in his players was rewarded as lightning struck twice in their final group match against 2010 champions Spain. As group winners, they went through to face a streetwise Croatian team in the last 16 with the golden uplands of the quarter-finals within their grasp. It was difficult to lose but Japanese soccer is without a doubt making progress." Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan wins plaudits for World Cup shocks and fans cleaning up in stadiums
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( John Sinnott | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Japan bids the World Cup farewell after its World Cup last-16 penalty shootout defeat by Croatia on Monday, but the team and its fans left lasting memories that won the Asian nation plenty of plaudits in Qatar and across the watching world. After the win over Germany, Japan’s players cleaned up their dressing room, leaving it looking immaculate. Japan supporters celebrate the team's World Cup Group E win against Spain. Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images‘Good vibes’Before Monday’s last-16 match against Japan, Croatia midfielder Lovro Majer had paid tribute to what the Samurai Blue had done at this World Cup. “We beat Germany and Spain – both World Cup champions,” said Japan coach coach Hajime Moriyasu, according to Reuters, after Monday’s loss to Croatia.

☆ Croatia beats Japan on penalties to reach World Cup quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +28 min

CNN —Goalkeeper Dominik Livaković made himself a national hero as Croatia beat Japan on penalties 1-1 (3-1) to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Marko Djurica/ReutersJapan’s heartbreakDespite its defeat, Japan can look back at an impressive World Cup campaign. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago. He also became just the third goalkeeper to save three penalties in a single World Cup shootout.

☆ Why are there so many shock results at this World Cup?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

We’ve seen plenty of World Cup shocks over the years, but this year’s edition has seen more than most. Lionel Hahn/Getty ImagesA World Cup like no otherThis World Cup is a first for many reasons. The World Cup’s natureGiven the nature of the World Cup – teams thrown together in a tournament setting from across the globe – fans often see clashes which they’re not accustomed to. This concoction has, over the 90 years of the World Cup, regularly led to shock results. From the US beating England in 1950 and North Korea upsetting Italy in 1966 to Senegal beating defending champion France in 2002 and Algeria – in its World Cup debut – beating West Germany in 1982, World Cup history is littered with surprises.

☆ Japan Upsets Spain and Eliminates Germany From the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—On the day his team landed in a World Cup group alongside Spain and Germany last spring, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu did his best not to sound alarmed. He spoke about his team’s belief, its inherent quality, and its desire to test itself against the best in the world. But, Moriyasu knew, there was no getting around the truth. Surrounded by two of the past three champions, Japan had landed in the World Cup’s Group of Death.

The breathtaking win for Japan meant they topped Group E, followed by Spain in second who finished ahead of third-placed Germany only on goal difference. Japan fans were in tears at the end of the match which gives them a chance to go further than they ever have before at a World Cup. "There were many fans who came all the way from Japan, as well as those that stayed behind in Japan," coach Moriyasu said. "We didn't have any danger in the first half, then in the second half, I told them during halftime to be cautious, because they would attack in the second half, they don't have anything to lose," he said. Japan defender Kou Itakura was shown his second yellow card of the tournament and will be suspended for the Croatia match.

☆ Germany knocked out of World Cup after extraordinary finale to Group E
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Germany was knocked out of the 2022 World Cup on Thursday after a quite extraordinary finale to Group E, despite beating Costa Rica. As he did in the famous victory over Germany, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu used his substitutes masterfully, bringing on Dōan and his left-footed strike brought Japan level. Wataru Endo celebrates with teammates after Japan qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup. Costa Rica took a stunning lead as Juan Pablo Vargas prodded home after an frantic goalmouth scramble to leave Germany trailing. With just over 20 minutes remaining in the two games, Spain and Germany – both recent World Cup winners – were in danger of going home.

☆ Doan to start for Japan, Costa Rica make two changes
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group E - Japan v Costa Rica - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 27, 2022 Japan's Ritsu Doan and Takumi Minamino walk on the pitch before the match REUTERS/Issei KatoDOHA, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Coach Hajime Moriyasu has rewarded Ritsu Doan with a start in Japan's second Group E game against Costa Rica on Sunday after he scored as a substitute in Wednesday's stunning World Cup upset of Germany. Doan's promotion was one of five changes to the starting line-up from the Germany match, with Miki Yamane coming into the defence in place of Hiroki Sakai. Hidemasa Morita, Yuki Soma and Doan come into midfield with Ao Tanaka, Takefusa Kubo and Junya Ito dropping out, while Ayase Ueda will start up front in place of Daizen Maeda. Costa Rica coach Luis Suarez largely kept faith with the team that suffered a humiliating 7-0 loss at the hands of Spain in their group opener. Gerson Torres comes in for Jewisson Bennette in midfield, while Kendall Waston will line-up in a five-man defence in place of Carlos Martinez.

☆ Soccer Jaded Japan seek to slay another World Cup giant in Spain decider
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Against Spain we are going for the win and that's what we need to focus on. "The next match against Spain will be a very intense game. Moriyasu said he would approach the Spain game differently and analyse how they performed against Germany in Sunday's later Group E match. "Spain are a strong team but we were always thinking about three matches; we will try to advance, so we need good preparation." Spain are a young team but I believe there's a good chance we can win; with confidence, we will go for the next match."

☆ Analysis: Timid Moriyasu in the spotlight as Costa Rica tear up the script
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, hailed as a tactical mastermind after the victory over Germany, was left with egg on his face on Sunday after Costa Rica produced a similarly stunning upset to blow World Cup Group E wide open. Although Moriyasu made five changes for the Costa Rica match in a squad rotation ahead of their final group match against Spain, only Ritsu Doan of the substitutes who came on to transform the Germany match was given a start. The Samurai Blue looked clueless as they tried to break down a Costa Rica side determined to avoid further embarrassment and who kept 10 men behind the ball for much of the time. It was Costa Rica's first shot on goal in the entire match but that, ultimately, was more than Japan managed over the 90 minutes. Moriyasu was unapologetic about his team's insipid display only a few days after one of their greatest victories.

☆ Costa Rica stun Japan with late Fuller winner
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Japan's historic victory over Germany in their opener coupled with Costa Rica's 7-0 drubbing by Spain cleared the way for Japan to reach the last 16 with a game to spare. Costa Rica, written off before kickoff, are now level on three points with Japan and have a chance to reach the last 16. For Costa Rica the lack of goalmouth action was probably most welcome seeing as they conceded three times in the opening half an hour against Spain. Immediately after the break Japan looked more threatening with Hidemasa Morita finally testing Keylor Navas with a stinging drive the Costa Rica keeper turned away. Kicking towards their fans, Japan began to seize control and Moriyasu made another attacking change with midfielder Kaoru Mitoma coming on for right back Miki Yamane.

☆ Germany looks to bounce back from shock defeat and revive World Cup hopes against dangerous Spain
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Finishing bottom of the group at Russia 2018, a tournament Germany went into as defending champion, was a historic low for the four-time World Cup winner. But after that shock 2-1 defeat to Japan in its opening match, it is once again a distinct possibility. That result means the match against Spain is do or die for Germany, as a defeat would confirm an early flight home from Qatar. World Cup team camps have traditionally been somewhat strict, private affairs, but Spain head coach Luis Enrique has been taking an unconventional approach to passing the time behind closed doors. In Group E’s other match, Japan knows victory over Costa Rica will guarantee its place in the knockout stages.

☆ World Cup 2022 - Germany 1-2 Japan: Late Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano goals earn shock victory
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Charlotte Marsh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Japan celebrates during a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match against Germany at Khalifa International Stadium on Nov. 23, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. Marc Atkins | Getty Images Sport | Getty ImagesEach Japan goal was greeted with a team bundle at the corner flag, and there were joyous celebrations at full-time. For Germany, their poor World Cup form continues, having finished bottom of their group at the 2018 tournament. After having two earlier efforts blocked, Gundogan stepped up and expertly dispatched his spot-kick to see the four-time World Cup winners in front. We made mistakes that we should never commit especially in a World Cup and those are the things that we need to improve on."

☆ Japanese apprentices out to upstage German masters
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We are very grateful to the Germans, they are role models for us," Moriyasu told a news conference on Tuesday. "We are still developing, of course, and at the same time have incorporated good qualities from Japan into our playing style. "So we have kind of mixed feelings about playing Germany but no matter who our opponents are, we are going to give absolutely the best performance that we can." Group E also includes former champions Spain as well as Costa Rica, presenting Japan with their toughest first-round draw in their seventh successive trip to the World Cup finals. Moriyasu said that did not alter their ambition to get beyond the last 16 for the first time at a World Cup.

☆ Every World Cup 2022 squad announced: USMNT, Germany, Belgium and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —‘Tis the season for wall charts and fans gathering around to pick their starting teams for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. “It’s always difficult when a guy helps you get to the World Cup, he scores three goals in World Cup qualifying and isn’t going to be a part of the program. Again, it’s more about who we did add that we felt good about.”All but one of the 26 will be making their World Cup debut at this year’s tournament and, according to the USMNT, it will be the youngest team to qualify for the World Cup. Octavio Passos/Getty Images Europe/Getty ImagesGhanaManager: Otto AddoThe final squad has not been announced yet. READ: Meet Otto Addo, the coach responsible for guiding some of Europe’s brightest young talents (2021)—–PortugalManager: Fernando SantosThe final squad has not been announced yet.

☆ Kamada and Mitoma strike as Japan breeze past United States
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jesus Ferreira's early header had sailed over the bar from Sergino Dest's cross in an encouraging start for the United States, but that was to prove a rare sight of goal for Gregg Berhalter's side. Arsenal goalkeeper Turner ensured the United States were not on the end of a heavier defeat with a string of fine saves in the second half. The 28-year-old kept out a 55th minute effort from Junya Ito before denying Kamada a second of the game 10 minutes later. But there was nothing Turner could do to prevent Mitoma from adding Japan's second in the 88th minute. The Japanese will be appearing at their seventh consecutive World Cup in November and have been drawn to face Germany, Spain and Costa Rica in the group phase while the United States meet England, Iran and Wales.

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