Winning by a whisker over lower-ranked North Korea. Why does Japan continue to struggle against Asian opposition?
National Team
Asian Cup disappointment should encourage Japan to embrace chaos
Japan 1-2 Iran: Last minute penalty cost Samurai Blue premature exit as determined Team Melli completed dramatic comeback win
Japan 3-1 Indonesia: How Moriyasu’s side won comfortably Team Garuda
Possible dead rubber turned into decider to qualify for the knockout round for Japan and Indonesia
Japan 1-2 Iraq: Ayman Hussein’s gigantic headers sink the tournament favourite Japan who scored only once despite 72% of possession and almost double figure of shots
Japan 4-2 Vietnam: Keito Nakamura netted the winner to complete a comeback win against Philippe Troussier’s side after Takumi Minamino had scored a brace
Can arguably ‘Japan’s best ever side’ win the Asian Cup title since 2011? One issue could be inexperienced custodians
Out-of-form Daichi Kamada dropped but injured Kaoru Mitoma a surprise call-up as Japan aim for fifth Asian title
Kaoru Mitoma, Takefusa Kubo and other players in Europe were called up for the matches against lower-ranked opponents in the Asian second qualifying round for the World Cup, but domestic fans are divided on the selection
Japan beat Canada to win their fifth straight game – what was behind their impressive goal rush, netting 22 in five matches?
Verdy, Kashima, Marinos, Kawasaki – winners in the 30 years history of the J.League
J.League