Kubo, Kagawa, Honda, Uchida, Okazaki and Nakamura: comparison of Japanese players’ first Champions League seasons
World
Japan’s thoughts after the Bahrain match: “People often talk about Europe or domestic, but I think Maikuma’s performance showed that it doesn’t matter where you play but what you do” – Takefusa Kubo
National Team
Japan 3-1 Bahrain: J.League sensation Maikuma help Samurai Blue cruise past the islanders to reach last eight for nine consecutive time
Japan 3-1 Indonesia: How Moriyasu’s side won comfortably Team Garuda
Japan’s thoughts after the Indonesia match: “I think it wasn’t just about getting through the group stage, it was a game for the future” – Takehiro Tomiyasu
Japan’s thoughts after the Iraq match: “There wasn’t a single player looking down in our locker room. We know that we must do what we have to do in the next game” – Takumi Minamino
Japan’s thoughts after the Vietnam match: “The opponents were tough and had a clear idea of what they wanted to do. But I’m glad for my goal” – Keito Nakamura
Out-of-form Daichi Kamada dropped but injured Kaoru Mitoma a surprise call-up as Japan aim for fifth Asian title
Champions League and Europa League Matchday 6 review: Arsenal, Real Sociedad, Brighton, Liverpool finished top and Lazio, Freiburg, Sporting qualified as well
JPN round up in the top five European leagues: Takefusa Kubo scored and assisted while Makoto Hasebe set another new record
Champions League and Europa League Matchday 5 review: Takehiro Tomiyasu assisted twice to seal Arsenal’s top spot while Ritsu Doan scored his second goal in the Europa League
JPN round up in the top five European leagues: Takehiro Tomiyasu kept a clean sheet, Takumi Minamino scored and assisted
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
Champions League and Europa League Matchday 4 review: Takefusa Kubo’s Real Sociedad qualified for the knockout round, Ritsu Doan scored in the last minutes
JPN round up in the top five European leagues: Kaoru Mitoma caused a crucial own goal, Takuma Asano scored a brace, and Junya Ito got one
12 Japanese played in Matchday 3 of the Champions League and the Europa League: Endo and Furuhashi scored, Maeda and Doan assisted