Latest news with #YuHirakawa
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Australia on brink of World Cup after dramatic late winner
Japan's Yu Hirakawa and Aziz Behich of Australia battle for the ball (COLIN MURTY) Australia moved to the brink of the World Cup after beating already qualified Japan 1-0 in Perth on Thursday thanks to Aziz Behich's 90th-minute winner. In front of a sell-out crowd of 57,226 at Optus Stadium, the Socceroos were outplayed for long periods by an inexperienced Japan side. Advertisement But then Riley McGree cut the ball back to defender Behich, who rifled a bullet into the corner for his first international goal in 13 years and trigger scenes of jubilation. After beating Japan for the first time since 2009, Australia are all but assured of a berth at next year's World Cup in North America. Before the game the Socceroos had a three-point lead and a significantly better goal difference over Saudi Arabia with two matches left. The win does not totally guarantee Australia's passage, with Saudi Arabia at Bahrain later on Thursday. Australia face Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on June 10 in their final Group C match in the battle for second behind Japan. Advertisement Teams that finish in the top two of the six-team group guarantee their automatic spot at the World Cup. After what had been a lacklustre performance for much of the game, Australia's last-gasp victory continued their turnaround since Tony Popovic was installed as coach in September. After becoming the first team to punch their tickets to the World Cup, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu used the trip to Australia as an opportunity to experiment with his squad. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo started on the bench as Japan fielded three debutants in the starting line-up. Advertisement Crystal Palace's Daichi Kamada, playing his 41st international, was considerably their most experienced starting player. But Japan's youngsters completely dominated the first-half with 21-year-old wing back Kota Tawaratsumida impressing on debut. It was only a matter of time before Japan had a clear-cut chance at breaking the deadlock, with Yuito Suzuki making an attempt from long range on the half-hour mark. Japan continued to attack with debutant Yu Hirakawa firing a bullet just wide of the left post after beating outstretched goalkeeper Mathew Ryan. The break arrived at an good time for Australia. After being substituted on in the 64th minute, Kubo curled past the right post, before Behich stepped up late on with his priceless goal. tl/pst
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Crocodile returns' and 'Japan calls'
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Wiltshire councillors have been called "fun sponges" for telling people in Box to remove bunting to mark the annual Box Revels over the bank holiday, reports Somerset Live. There's a worry it could "seriously impact" attendance. The Swindon Advertiser says a bridge repaired six months ago has collapsed in Lechlade, closing off Hambridge Lane. The paper believes it was due to a car crash. A lot of sympathy for the owners of a Gloucester coffee shop, which bases its cakes on school-style tray bakes, after a break-in left them "devastated", Gloucestershire Live reports. And the A38 through Highbridge is due to be shut next month for a weekend, according to Maternity hospital evacuated after large fire Glastonbury glampers' concern after yurt firm goes bust South Korea's love for Wallace and Gromit "It all comes down to this" – excitement is building as Bath take on Lyon later in Cardiff in the Challenge Cup. Meanwhile, Bristol City fan-favourite Yu Hirakawa has been called up to the senior Japan squad for the first time. There has been a lot of Quedgeley locals speaking about the A38 slip road, which is going to be shut until 31 October. Frome Vale Labour has posted about about a rise in vandalism and antisocial behaviour around Oldbury Court. They want a Public Space Protection Order placed there "as soon as possible". And a much-loved crocodile is being brought back to Museum & Art Swindon. Follow BBC West social channels in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Headlines: Crop circles and village 'overtourism' High rise fire and eerie shipwrecks Headlines: Peregrine names and night buses
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Crocodile returns' and 'Japan calls'
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Wiltshire councillors have been called "fun sponges" for telling people in Box to remove bunting to mark the annual Box Revels over the bank holiday, reports Somerset Live. There's a worry it could "seriously impact" attendance. The Swindon Advertiser says a bridge repaired six months ago has collapsed in Lechlade, closing off Hambridge Lane. The paper believes it was due to a car crash. A lot of sympathy for the owners of a Gloucester coffee shop, which bases its cakes on school-style tray bakes, after a break-in left them "devastated", Gloucestershire Live reports. And the A38 through Highbridge is due to be shut next month for a weekend, according to Maternity hospital evacuated after large fire Glastonbury glampers' concern after yurt firm goes bust South Korea's love for Wallace and Gromit "It all comes down to this" – excitement is building as Bath take on Lyon later in Cardiff in the Challenge Cup. Meanwhile, Bristol City fan-favourite Yu Hirakawa has been called up to the senior Japan squad for the first time. There has been a lot of Quedgeley locals speaking about the A38 slip road, which is going to be shut until 31 October. Frome Vale Labour has posted about about a rise in vandalism and antisocial behaviour around Oldbury Court. They want a Public Space Protection Order placed there "as soon as possible". And a much-loved crocodile is being brought back to Museum & Art Swindon. Follow BBC West social channels in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Headlines: Crop circles and village 'overtourism' High rise fire and eerie shipwrecks Headlines: Peregrine names and night buses
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bristol City forward Hirakawa called up by Japan
Bristol City forward Yu Hirakawa has been called into Japan's senior squad for the first time. The 24-year-old is part of the squad for World Cup qualifiers against Australia and Indonesia next month. Advertisement Hirakawa joined Bristol City on loan from J-League club Machida Zelvia in July before making the move permanent in February. He scored two goals in 19 Championship appearances for the Robins this season and has previously featured for Japan's under-22 and under-23 sides. Japan became the first nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in March and the games against Australia and Indonesia are their final matches of the qualification stage.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Bristol City forward Hirakawa called up by Japan
Bristol City forward Yu Hirakawa has been called into Japan's senior squad for the first 24-year-old is part of the squad for World Cup qualifiers against Australia and Indonesia next joined Bristol City on loan from J-League club Machida Zelvia in July before making the move permanent in scored two goals in 19 Championship appearances for the Robins this season and has previously featured for Japan's under-22 and under-23 became the first nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in March and the games against Australia and Indonesia are their final matches of the qualification stage.
