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Japan Forward
5 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Soccer: Japan Men Capture 2nd Straight East Asian Title
Reporting on a bear on a golf course, Japan's soccer title in South Korea, the Volleyball Nations League and Itsuki Takemoto getting selected in the MLB Draft. The Japan men's national team jubilates after its title-clinching win in the 2025 East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship on July 15 in Yongin, South Korea. (©SANKEI) Japan men's soccer standout Ryo Germain scored his tournament-leading fifth goal in the eighth minute against South Korea on Tuesday night, July 15. It was a high-stakes contribution for Germain, who plies his craft for the Sanfrecce Hiroshima, in the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship final in Yongin, South Korea. Teammate Yuki Soma created the scoring opportunity with a well-placed cross. The Samurai Blue defeated the hosts 1-0, completing the four-nation final round with a perfect 3-0 record. Japan's Ryo Germain (right) celebrates with a teammate after scoring a goal against South Korea in the first half. (KYODO) Manager Hajime Moriyasu selected all of the team's players from the instead of also filling out the roster with players who compete for European soccer squads. "My players made a great effort," Moriyasu said, according to Kyodo News. "They showed the pride of the and the depth of our national team." In Japan's first match of the E-1 Football Championship final round, Germain scored four goals in the opening half of a 6-1 rout of Hong Kong on July 8. Moriyasu's men then triumphed 2-0 over China in their second match of the tourney's final round on July 12. Japan's Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce) was named the E-1 Football Championship's Best Goalkeeper. The next E-1 Football Championship is scheduled for 2028 in China. SPORTS SHORTS | Soccer: Japan Men Look to Maintain High-Scoring Output Japan's Yuki Ishikawa spikes the ball in an FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League match against Germany on July 16 at Chiba Port Arena. (©SANKEI) Playing its first of four home matches in Week 3 of the preliminary phase of the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League, Japan rallied past Germany on Wednesday, July 16. At Chiba Port Arena, Japan triumphed 21-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-20. National team standouts Yuki Ishikawa, Ran Takahashi and Kento Miyaura spearheaded Japan's come-from-behind victory. The threesome combined for 61 points, with 19 attack points, aka kills, apiece. Ishikawa, who had a match-best 22 points, also contributed two blocks and an ace before a lively crowd of 7,000. After picking up the win over Germany to improve to 6-3 in the preliminary round, Japan's challenging Week 3 schedule was as follows: Argentina (July 17), top-ranked Brazil (July 18) and the United States (July 20). Miyaura described his team's overall performance against Germany as positive. But he wasn't completely pleased with his performance. "We knew this was going to be a difficult match, and we had to adjust some details during the match," Miyaura told reporters. "I'm satisfied with our victory, but I know I have some things to improve for the next matches, especially my serve." The 18-team Volleyball Nations League runs from June 11 to August 3. And the top eight teams in the preliminary round, which is being staged in several countries during the three weeks of play, will advance to the quarterfinals. Starting on July 30, the northeastern Chinese city of Ningbo is the site for the final week of the competition. Japan Men Capture Silver in the Volleyball Nations League Meiji Yasuda Ladies Golf Tournament officials patrol Sendai Classic Golf Club in Tomiya, Miyagi Prefecture, where a bear was spotted, on July 16. (GETTY IMAGES/via KYODO) A bear was seen at Sendai Classic Golf Club in Tomiya, Miyagi Prefecture on Wednesday, July 16. Due to safety concerns, JLPGA Tour officials canceled the next day's first round of the Meiji Yasuda Ladies Golf Tournament. The tournament was shortened to three rounds (July 18-20), the JLPGA Tour announced on its website. And it will be contested without spectators. "We deeply apologize to the fans who have been looking forward to the event, and ask for your understanding in this matter," the JLPGA Tour said in its news release. Information on ticket refunds will be released as soon as possible, the JLPGA Tour also announced. Itsuki Takemoto (KYODO) The Athletics selected Wakayama native Itsuki Takemoto in the 19th round of the 2025 MLB Draft on Monday, July 14. A productive pitcher and designated hitter during the 2024 and '25 collegiate baseball seasons for the University of Hawaii, Takemoto was the 560th overall pick in the draft. As a sophomore, Takemoto made 15 pitching appearances (14 starts) in 2025. He had a 2-6 record with a 5.75 ERA with 22 walks and 57 strikeouts in a team-high 67⅓ innings. The Chiben Gakuen Wakayama Senior High School graduate also played 45 games as the designated hitter, including 37 starts. He hit .256 with 21 RBIs. In 2025, Takemoto earned All-Big West Conference accolades. Boosting his visibility in front of MLB scouts, the right-handed pitcher competed in the Cape Cod League in 2024. The summer league is a showcase circuit for college players who are highly regarded pro prospects. In nine appearances for the Orleans Firebirds, Takemoto had a 3-1 record with a 0.71 ERA, striking out 23 batters in 25⅓ innings. As a result of his dynamic effort on the mound, Takemoto received the Cape Cod League's 2024 BFC Whitehouse Outstanding Pitcher Award. The Athletics moved from Oakland to West Sacramento following the 2024 season. They are scheduled to be based in the suburban city near the California capital through 2027 and then move to a new ballpark in Las Vegas. For now, they are simply known as the Athletics or the A's, without Oakland or West Sacramento as part of their official name. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
The Mainichi
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Football: Moriyasu, Hong drawing up big blueprint for Japan, S. Korea
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The current masterminds behind two of Asia's most successful footballing nations, Japan's Hajime Moriyasu and South Korea's Hong Myung Bo, believe their teams will continue to inspire each other as they dream of one day meeting in a World Cup final. Speaking to Kyodo News on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization between the two countries, the two 56-year-old managers shared their thoughts on their respective paths since they first faced each other on the pitch, as well as the future of the footballing relationship between the nations. "I was happy to be part of the long history (between the countries)," Moriyasu, a defensive midfielder during his playing days, said of that first meeting, a 0-0 draw at the Dynasty Cup in Beijing in August 1992. "Japan and South Korea might put more pressure on their players facing each other than any other two countries, and that brings about mutual growth." All-round defender Hong, who made his World Cup debut in Italy in 1990, said the rivalry was "a big competition, beyond football." "Players from each side put their pride on the line and feel the emotion, nervousness and more during the preparation process before heading in," he said. The two nations have met 78 times to date, with South Korea winning 40, Japan 15, with 23 games ending in draws. It has been a tight contest since the J-League started in 1993, with nine wins apiece and 10 draws. Kazuyoshi Miura's goal gave a Japan side featuring Moriyasu a 1-0 win against South Korea in October 1993 in the Asian final-round World Cup qualifiers, when all six teams were housed in the same hotel. It preceded the game which came to be known in Japan as the "Tragedy of Doha" that resulted in the Samurai Blue dramatically missing the 1994 finals. A late Iraq equalizer saw them settle for a point in their last game and let their first World Cup appearance slip through their fingers, in what would be Moriyasu's only qualifying campaign. South Korea snatched the berth instead on goal difference to head to the United States. "Japan were developing steadily from around 1992 and the 1993 team at the qualifying round really had lots of good players," Hong said. "I strongly felt Japan would eventually make the World Cup." The neighbors have not been grouped together in World Cup qualifying since 1997. South Korea won 2-1 in Tokyo while Japan prevailed 2-0 against the already-through hosts in Seoul, with Japan reaching their first finals in 1998 via a playoff win over Iran. "In terms of history, South Korea were the top runner in Asia and Japan have been catching up," Moriyasu said. "Now Japan have upped their level and we're both pushing each other to propel Asia." Hong left Pohang Steelers to play five seasons in the J-League from 1997 and faced Moriyasu again on the pitch during that period, spending the first two years with Bellmare Hiratsuka, now Shonan Bellmare, before moving to Kashiwa Reysol. The two nations were pulled closer as co-hosts of the 2002 World Cup, at which Japan reached the last 16 for the first time and South Korea upset Portugal, Italy and Spain en route to finishing fourth. "It was a momentous World Cup for both countries. It was a wonderful and pioneering competition too, where nations and associations connected and cooperated for a successful staging of the tournament," Moriyasu said. "I feel South Korea put in a performance that made Asia proud as their representatives." Calling the tournament "extremely positive" for both co-hosts, Hong revealed Guus Hiddink, their Dutch manager at the time, gave a crucial speech ahead of their last 16 tie with Italy following Japan's defeat to Turkey earlier the same day. "Italy were an extremely strong team at the time and we might have been thinking it can't be helped (to lose) after the defeat for Japan," the former South Korea captain said. "Hiddink implored, 'don't get satisfied by reaching this stage' and 'we'll aim much higher.' The players' motivation was reignited by that." Moriyasu hung up his boots in 2003 a year before Hong and started his managerial career in 2012, winning three J1 titles with his former club Sanfrecce Hiroshima over the next four years. He took the Japan job following the 2018 World Cup, four years before stunning both Germany and Spain in Qatar. Hong managed South Korea at the 2014 finals when they went out in the group stage. He returned to the post in 2024, having guided Ulsan Hyundai to back-to-back K-League titles, and the two managers find common ground in their philosophies. "I put extreme emphasis on how players positively influence the team and how much they can devote to it," Hong said. "The crowd may like star, big-name, popular players, but someone like Moriyasu, who can really dedicate himself to the team, leads the team to wins." "Japanese players often said 'for the team' when I was in Japan and that's the idea. You might sometimes play for your name and number on the back of your shirt, but there's the emblem and sense of mission at the front. I want players to understand their importance." Moriyasu said his approach was "nearly the same" with team spirit "at its core." Teams are "comprised of individuals" and he seeks "mutual respect" among the different members. "Hong was a wonderful player who was given captaincy also in Japan because he could express both what he had to do as an individual and as a member of the team," Moriyasu said. "I hope to see many such players develop." Japan will make their eighth straight World Cup next summer in Canada, Mexico and the United States, while South Korea will appear for the 11th straight time and 12th overall. The Samurai Blue's four knockout-stage appearances are the most by an Asian team, but they are still aiming to make the quarterfinals for the first time. "We want to dream big and have been fighting with the shared goal of winning the World Cup," Moriyasu said. "People looking at our past record of course might say 'are they dreaming?' But taking each game at a time, I don't think anything is at the center of this belief is seeing South Korea reach the last four in 2002." "Having pushed each other, and seeing each other as comrades in leading Asian football, if we and South Korea can face each other in the final at the next World Cup or another in the future, I'll be really happy." Hong, who has set a last-16 berth as a target, recalled managing the South Korean under-23 team in a bronze-medal playoff victory over Japan at the 2012 London Olympics, saying he hoped "such a day comes again soon." Both managers also believe football can play a part in forming a better relationship between the two countries. "At our 1998 World Cup qualifier, a banner in the home section of a Seoul stadium read 'Let's go to France together,'" Hong said. "At the 2002 World Cup, I heard afterward that lots of people in Japan cheered for us as we reached the last 16, quarterfinals and semifinals. I hope we can build a new future without forgetting these things." Moriyasu said, "We each have a year left in our jobs for now, but hopefully we can both produce something in that period that leaves something for the future generations." "If Japan and South Korea getting connected as good footballing rivals and friends were to influence broader society, I'd be happy."
The Mainichi
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Football: Ryo Germain nets 4 goals for Japan in 6-1 rout of Hong Kong
YONGIN, South Korea (Kyodo) -- Striker Ryo Germain bagged four goals in 26 first-half minutes as he spearheaded Japan to a 6-1 win against Hong Kong in their opening match of the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Championship on Tuesday. The 30-year-old Sanfrecce Hiroshima attacker tied the record for most goals by a Japan debutant, after being capped in a Samurai Blue side selected entirely from the domestic J-League by manager Hajime Moriyasu. Germain opened the scoring for the E-1 title holders in the fourth minute at Yong-in Mireu Stadium, controlling Yuki Soma's pass on his chest before volleying past Hong Kong keeper Hung Fai-yapp. He doubled the lead six minutes later, heading home off Soma's cross. Sho Inagaki made it 3-0 before Germain added further goals in the 22nd and 26th minutes, giving Japan a 5-0 halftime lead. Matt Orr pulled one back for Hong Kong in the 59th minute and Sota Nakamura completed the scoring for Japan in injury time. Moriyasu capped several players for the first time, including Nagoya Grampus' Alexandre Pisano, who became the youngest goalkeeper to debut for Japan at 19 years and 179 days. "Germain delivered what we wanted most, which was goals," Moriyasu said. "Many players got their first cap. The whole team gained experience." The Samurai Blue will face China in their next match of the four-team round-robin tournament on Saturday before battling hosts South Korea on Tuesday.
Kyodo News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Football: Germain nets 4 goals for Japan in 6-1 rout of Hong Kong
YONGIN, South Korea - Striker Ryo Germain bagged four goals in 26 first-half minutes as he spearheaded Japan to a 6-1 win against Hong Kong in their opening match of the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Championship on Tuesday. The 30-year-old Sanfrecce Hiroshima attacker tied the record for most goals by a Japan debutant, after being capped in a Samurai Blue side selected entirely from the domestic J-League by manager Hajime Moriyasu. Germain opened the scoring for the E-1 title holders in the fourth minute at Yong-in Mireu Stadium, controlling Yuki Soma's pass on his chest before volleying past Hong Kong keeper Hung Fai-yapp. He doubled the lead six minutes later, heading home off Soma's cross. Sho Inagaki made it 3-0 before Germain added further goals in the 22nd and 26th minutes, giving Japan a 5-0 halftime lead. Matt Orr pulled one back for Hong Kong in the 59th minute and Sota Nakamura completed the scoring for Japan in injury time. Moriyasu capped several players for the first time, including Nagoya Grampus' Alexandre Pisano, who became the youngest goalkeeper to debut for Japan at 19 years and 179 days. "Germain delivered what we wanted most, which was goals," Moriyasu said. "Many players got their first cap. The whole team gained experience." The Samurai Blue will face China in their next match of the four-team round-robin tournament on Saturday before battling hosts South Korea on Tuesday.
Kyodo News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Football: Japan's Moriyasu unstressed in pursuit of World Cup glory
KYODO NEWS - 6 hours ago - 22:00 | Sports, All Managing Japan's national football team comes with "pressure" but "no stress," Hajime Moriyasu said Monday, as he reiterated his ambition of winning the 2026 World Cup. The 56-year-old addressed the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo with less than a year to go until the tournament gets under way in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. "I want to prepare with the goal of being No. 1 in the world and challenge for the World Cup," Moriyasu said. Japan in March secured their fastest-ever World Cup qualification with three games still to play in their final Asian qualifying group. While the Samurai Blue have never progressed beyond the round of 16 at the tournament, Moriyasu is bullish about his team's prospects. "We can win if we make use of everyone's individual strengths while playing in harmony as a team," he said. Moriyasu has periodically come under heavy criticism from sections of the fanbase and media for his tactics and player selections, but the manager said he welcomed the scrutiny that comes with the job. "There's pressure, but no stress at all," he said. "I can take the criticism in a positive way. Indifference would be harder to take." Moriyasu likened one of the national team's biggest names, Real Sociedad attacker Takefusa Kubo, to "Captain Tsubasa," the eponymous central character of the smash-hit manga series. "I hope he grows into a player who can become Captain Tsubasa and take on the world," Moriyasu said. Related coverage: Football: Japan need striker to develop for World Cup success: boss
