U-23 Asian Cup review #6: Japan become Asian champions after Fuki Yamada’s dramatic injury-time strike defeats Uzbekistan
National Team
U-23 Asian Cup Review #5: Japan qualify for eighth consecutive Olympic Games after best performance earns them comprehensive win over Iraq
U-23 Asian Cup review #4: Ailing ace finally wakes up. Mao Hosoya’s decisive goal earns Japan win over Qatar to edge them closer to Paris Olympics
U-23 Asian Cup review #3: Japan’s lack of decisiveness once again exposed in narrow defeat to South Korea. Hosts Qatar next up in quarter-finals
U-23 Asian Cup review #2: Japan advance to knockout stage after defeating UAE, but repeated missed chances could hurt them in the future
U-23 Asian Cup review #1: Despite struggling after a sending-off, Matsuki goal keeps Japan on course for Paris
How are Japan’s U-23s, who are aiming to qualify for the Paris Olympics, faring in the J1 League this season?
J.League
Limited call-ups from Europe. How will Japan face tough final round of Asian Olympic qualifiers?
Winning by a whisker over lower-ranked North Korea. Why does Japan continue to struggle against Asian opposition?
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
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
Japan 1-2 Iran: Last minute penalty cost Samurai Blue premature exit as determined Team Melli completed dramatic comeback win
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 Bahrain: J.League sensation Maikuma help Samurai Blue cruise past the islanders to reach last eight for nine consecutive time