Reactions after Japan v. DPR Korea: “I’ve been thinking since the Asian Cup ended that my task is to show something extra” – Daizen Maeda
National Team
Can Kyoto Sanga’s 22-year-old captain Sota Kawasaki follow in the footsteps of Wataru Endo?
J.League
Asian Cup disappointment should encourage Japan to embrace chaos
Japan’s thoughts after the Iran match: “I couldn’t feel enough passion from us on the pitch” – Takehiro Tomiyasu
Rocked by off-the-pitch turmoil, Japan will take on Iran as Ueda’s strong form and fast breaks could be keys in de facto final
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
Japan 3-1 Indonesia: How Moriyasu’s side won comfortably Team Garuda
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
Becoming an indispensable figure in Liverpool’s midfield, Wataru Endo has silenced his critics again and again
Out-of-form Daichi Kamada dropped but injured Kaoru Mitoma a surprise call-up as Japan aim for fifth Asian title
JPN round up in the top five European leagues: Wataru Endo played full minutes against leaders while Keito Nakamura scored the winner in France
World
JPN round up in the top five European leagues: Wataru Endo played full minutes and Asano scored his fifth goal of the season
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: Endo scored a valuable equaliser and Minamino recorded his fifth goal of the season