Latest news with #Takaoka


Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Iloski scores four, expansion side San Diego FC trounce Vancouver Whitecaps 5-3
VANCOUVER – Milan Iloski scored four goals and San Diego FC vaulted to the top of Major League Soccer's Western Conference with a dominant 5-3 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday. Iloski, making his first MLS start, notched a hat trick in the first half, then added another tally in the 47th minute. Tomas Angel also had a goal for expansion side San Diego (11-5-3) in the 90th minute. Edier Ocampo, Mathias Laborda and Antoine Coupland — making his MLS debut — replied for the 'Caps (10-3-5). San Diego controlled 51.3 per cent possession and held a 8-5 edge in on-target shots across the game. It was a rare off-night for Vancouver's usually staunch defence, which came in having conceded a league-low 152 shots across the first half of the season. With the loss, the Whitecaps slipped to the No. 2 spot in the league's Western Conference standings, one point behind San Diego. The home side fell behind in the 35th minute on Wednesday and couldn't battle its way back into the game. Whitecaps 'keeper Yohei Takaoka stopped Iloski's blast in the 35th minute, but the rebound popped back out to the American striker and he fired it in before the netminder could get back in position. Two minutes later, the visitors struck again. Alejandro Alvarado appeared to shove Vancouver defender Ranko Veselinovic to the turf, then dished off to Iloski, who sprinted into the penalty area and put another ball past Takaoka for his second goal of the night. Officials conducted a video review of the play before determining the goal would stand. The 'Caps gained some momentum late in the half off a corner from Pedro Vite. The midfielder swung a ball in and it bounced around until Ocampo collected it outside the six-yard box and fired a left-footed shot in for his first MLS goal. San Diego wasted no time in retaliating. Danish midfielder Anders Dreyer crossed a ball in to Iloski in the 44th minute and Iloski sent a header screaming in to give San Diego a 3-1 lead. The visitors controlled 50.3 per cent possession through the first half, outshot Vancouver 9-7 and held a 6-2 edge in on-target shots. Trouble continued early in the second half. Dreyer passed off to Iloski, who steamed toward the net and fired another shot in, making it 4-1 with his fourth goal of the night. Heading into Wednesday's game, the 25-year-old had five MLS goals on the season. The Whitecaps cut into the deficit in the 66th minute. Laborda, who came off the bench for Ralph Priso at halftime, collected a ball from Vite and chipped a sharp-angle shot up and over San Diego 'keeper CJ Dos Santos. Angel, who came on for the injured Alvarado in the 79th minute, slipped a shot past Takaoka in the 90th minute to make it 5-2. Coupland's goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time sealed the score at 5-3. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The 21-year-old Canadian came on for Andres Cubas in the 87th minute, making his debut for the Whitecaps. Earlier on Wednesday, it was announced that four Whitecaps players have been picked for the MLS all-star game. Takaoka, defender Tristan Blackmon, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and striker Brian White will all make their all-star game debuts against LIGA MX all stars in Austin, Texas, on July 23. The Whitecaps return to play Sunday when they visit Los Angeles FC. San Diego will face FC Dallas in Texas on Saturday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025.


The Mainichi
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Tokyo firm provides sweet deal to snack maker, live streamers for 'free' large ads
OSAKA -- Large poster ads for a cheap snack maker were recently displayed at train stations in the capital region, featuring photos of live streamers. But instead of paying for the advertising, the company prepared only boxes of its sweets to give to models selected via auditions. The deal was a win-win model for both the advertiser and live streamers. How did it work? "I was surprised we could put up such large ads," said 70-year-old Goro Takaoka, the planning department head of Osaka-based Orion Co., which is domestically known for treats like "Cocoa Cigarette" and "Mini Cola" candy. From May 5 to 11, poster ads at Shibuya Station featured the phrase "Orion's snacks: full of dreams, overflowing with deliciousness," along with photos of five young women holding popular products like "Cocoa Cigarette." Photos of eight other young people appeared in ads at Ikebukuro Station. Digital signs at Tokyo and Kichijoji stations also displayed the ads. It is said that displaying posters of the same size at stations in the greater Tokyo area for a week typically costs between 400,000 and 1 million yen (around $2,800 to $7,000) per location, depending on the timing. However, this time, Orion did not pay any advertising fees. In fact, the models in the ads were all live streamers, selected through auditions on internet video-sharing platforms like "MixChannel" and "TikTok Live." The idea was proposed by NeXT Inc., a Tokyo-based company involved in creator support and other businesses. It suggested hosting model auditions to promote Orion's products on video platforms and recruiting applicants to compete through live streaming. The rankings were determined by the amount of "tips" viewers sent to the streamers online, and the winners were featured in the ads. A portion of these tips was paid to NeXT and used for the advertising costs, which included makeup for the models and poster photography fees. For this campaign, Orion prepared 200 boxes of sweets, with a suggested retail price of 600 yen (about $4) each excluding tax, as gifts for the top picks in the modeling auditions. Takaoka expressed his delight, saying, "I never imagined that a candy maker in Osaka could advertise at stations in Tokyo. They took lovely photos, and I have nothing more to say." For companies, this approach offers chances for promotion without incurring advertising costs, while live streamers can expect increased recognition. According to a survey conducted by NeXT, many streamers cited the opportunity to appear in a large ad as their motivation for participating. One of the models also said, "I was happy about being featured in an ad for a snack I like." The live streaming market has been rapidly expanding in recent years. NeXT also handles advertisements for cosmetics and clothing through online events featuring streamers. A representative stated, "We want to serve as a bridge between companies that can't afford huge advertising expenses and streamers looking to increase their visibility." (Japanese original by Satoko Suizu, Osaka Editorial Production Center)

18-05-2025
- Sport
Takaoka's effort in net helps Vancouver Whitecaps salvage scoreless draw against Austin FC
AUSTIN, Texas -- Vancouver keeper Yohei Takaoka posted five saves and recorded his sixth MLS shutout of the season helping the Vancouver Whitecaps earn a scoreless draw against Austin FC on Saturday. Takaoka proved invaluable for the Western Conference-leading Whitecaps (8-1-4) who were lackluster offensively and were outshot 16-5 by Austin (5-6-3). Probably Takaoka's biggest save of the night occurred at the 83rd minute when he turned away Osman Bukari's blast to the left with a diving save. Austin had three corner kicks in the matches' first five minutes. Despite Vancouver maintaining possession for a little more than half the match, Austin keeper Brad Stuver didn't make his first save until the 73rd minute off Brian White's header. With the draw, Vancouver extended its unbeaten streak to 11 contests. Vancouver hasn't lost since a 3-1 defeat against Chicago on March 22.


Vancouver Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Whitecaps 0, Austin FC 0: Yohei Takaoka's effort helps Vancouver salvage scoreless draw
AUSTIN, Texas — Vancouver keeper Yohei Takaoka posted five saves and recorded his sixth MLS shutout of the season helping the Vancouver Whitecaps earn a scoreless draw against Austin FC on Saturday. Takaoka proved invaluable for the Western Conference-leading Whitecaps (8-1-4) who were lackluster offensively and were outshot 16-5 by Austin (5-6-3). Probably Takaoka's biggest save of the night occurred at the 83rd minute when he turned away Osman Bukari's blast to the left with a diving save. Austin had three corner kicks in the matches' first five minutes. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Despite Vancouver maintaining possession for a little more than half the match, Austin keeper Brad Stuver didn't make his first save until the 73rd minute off Brian White's header. With the draw, Vancouver extended its unbeaten streak to 11 contests. Vancouver hasn't lost since a 3-1 defeat against Chicago on March 22.


Fox Sports
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Takaoka's effort in net helps Vancouver Whitecaps salvage scoreless draw against Austin FC
Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Vancouver keeper Yohei Takaoka posted five saves and recorded his sixth MLS shutout of the season helping the Vancouver Whitecaps earn a scoreless draw against Austin FC on Saturday. Takaoka proved invaluable for the Western Conference-leading Whitecaps (8-1-4) who were lackluster offensively and were outshot 16-5 by Austin (5-6-3). Probably Takaoka's biggest save of the night occurred at the 83rd minute when he turned away Osman Bukari's blast to the left with a diving save. Austin had three corner kicks in the matches' first five minutes. Despite Vancouver maintaining possession for a little more than half the match, Austin keeper Brad Stuver didn't make his first save until the 73rd minute off Brian White's header. With the draw, Vancouver extended its unbeaten streak to 11 contests. Vancouver hasn't lost since a 3-1 defeat against Chicago on March 22. ___ AP soccer: recommended