TOKYO (majirox news) — The captain of Japan’s women’s soccer team, Homare Sawa, was presented with FIFA’s Ballon d’Or award at a Zurich ceremony on Jan. 9. This prestigious honor is awarded by FIFA to the world’s best player – male or female – and it is the first time that an Asian athlete...
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TOKYO (majirox news) — Former Japan national team goalkeeper Masanori Sanada died suddenly on Sept. 6, J. League team Shimizu S-Pulse said. He was 43. Shimizu officials said they have not heard the details of Sanada’s death and are still waiting to hear from authorities about the cause of his death. The death of...
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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (majirox news) — Japan came from behind after conceding an early goal to draw against Uzbekistan in a World Cup qualifying match here Sept. 6 (Sept. 7 Japan time). Shinji Okazaki equalized with a diving header in the 64th minute after Japan had given away a goal to Server Djeparov after just...
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TOKYO (majirox news) — Nadeshiko Japan, the national women’s team, took a big step closer to competing in the 2012 London Olympics on Sept. 5 with a 1-0 win against Australia’s Matildas in Shandong, China. Nahomi Kawasumi continued her fine form with a 62-minute goal that remained the only score for the match in...
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TOKYO (majirox news) — Matsumoto Yamaga Football Club’s doctor remains baffled Aug. 5 by the sudden death of 34-year-old former Japan national team defender Naoki Matsuda on Thursday, two days after he suddenly collapsed following a heart attack. Matsuda had regularly undergone health checks and his most recent tests in January had detected no...
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TOKYO (majirox news) — Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Renho promised July 21 to use “as a reference for the future” a weeklong, Twitter-based firestorm of attacks responding to her praise for Japan’s World Cup-winning women’s soccer team by blasting her for cutting sports’ budgets. Hundreds of thousands of Net users greeted a...
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TOKYO (majirox news) — Japan won the Women’s World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, on July 18 Japan time, defeating the United States 3-1 on penalties following a 2-2 deadlock after extra time. Nadeshiko Japan became the first senior Asian soccer team to win a World Cup when it came from behind to defeat the...
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TOKYO (majirox news) — Japan came from behind to overcome highly favored Sweden 3-1 in Frankfurt, Germany, on July 13 and book a history-making place in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday, the first senior Asian team to progress so far. Two goals to substitute Nahomi Kawasumi and a third to Homare Sawa...
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