Tokyo Olympics: Japan's bid to make history denied by Spain

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: Japan's bid to make history denied by Spain

Ibaraki: Japan will take on Mexico in the bronze medal match of the Tokyo Olympics Men's Football tournament after Marco Asensio’s extra-time strike earned Spain a 1-0 semi-final win over Hajime Moriyasu’s side at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday.

The Real Madrid attacker bent his left-foot shot around Kosei Tani five minutes from the end of the second period of additional time to break Japanese hearts as a second penalty shoot-out loomed for the tournament hosts.

Japan had prevailed on penalties against New Zealand in the quarter-finals and a tired display from both teams at Saitama Stadium looked destined for spot-kicks until Asensio’s match winner, with Spain to face defending champions Brazil in Saturday's final.

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Tokyo Olympics: Japan need to be sharper against Mexico to win bronze, admits Moriyasu

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: Japan need to be sharper against Mexico to win bronze, admits Moriyasu

Ibaraki: Hajime Moriyasu acknowledged his Japan team needs to improve in front of goal if they are bounce back from the disappointment of their Tokyo Olympics Men's Football semi-final defeat against Spain on Tuesday and claim the country’s first medal in 53 years.

Marco Asensio scored the only goal of the game deep into the second period of extra-time to leave Japan facing the prospect of a bronze medal match against Mexico at Saitama Stadium on Friday.

Tokyo Olympics - Preview: USA stand in the way of Australian target

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics - Preview: USA stand in the way of Australian target

Ibaraki: Australia’s Tokyo Olympics women’s football odyssey will come to an end on Thursday, with the result of their match against the United States to determine whether the Matildas depart Japan with their nation’s first ever football medal at the Games.

Tony Gustavsson’s side had their sights set on gold after their epic 4-3 quarter-final victory of Great Britain, but a hard-fought 1-0 defeat to title favourites Sweden means they must now conquer the reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup winners to avoid leaving empty handed.

Tokyo Olympics: Australia’s Gustavsson looks forward to “unfinished business” against USA

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: Australia’s Gustavsson looks forward to “unfinished business” against USA

Yokohama: A disappointed Tony Gustavsson will turn his focus to Australia’s bronze medal match against the United States, after their bid for Olympic gold was ended by a 1-0 semi-final defeat to Sweden on Monday.

The Matildas had a 42nd-minute Sam Kerr goal disallowed before Fridolina Rolfo struck the decisive blow in the first minute of the second half, taking the unbeaten Swedes through to Friday’s gold medal decider against Canada.

2021 AFC Cup knockout stage finalised

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Cup knockout stage finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The pathway to the AFC Cup 2021 Final was decided following the completion of the Knockout Stage draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday.

The Knockout Stage virtual draw saw the participating clubs placed in two Pots – West Zone and Inter-Zone Play-off – based on their Zonal representations without any seeding or country protection.

Malaysia’s Soh Chin Ann tops FIFA’s Century Club, five Asian legends in top 10

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Malaysia’s Soh Chin Ann tops FIFA’s Century Club, five Asian legends in top 10

Kuala Lumpur: Five of Asia’s finest players are in the top 10 of FIFA’s Century Club with Malaysia’s Datuk Soh Chin Ann occupying the number one spot.

Soh made 195 international appearances for Malaysia and leads the exclusive circle of players who have played 100 or more "A" internationals for their country.

Asia has 141 representatives in FIFA’s Century Club, with some of the continent's finest players in the list.

Japan's Muto leaves Newcastle

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Japan's Muto leaves Newcastle

Japan international Yoshinori Muto has parted company with English Premier League side Newcastle United after the striker’s contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

Muto, who was a member of the Japan squad that reached the final of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates, leaves Newcastle after three years of a four-year contract signed upon his arrival from German side Mainz 05.