Preview - Men’s QF: Japan v Spain

Thu, 01 Aug, 2024

Preview - Men’s QF: Japan v Spain

Nantes: Japan will be seeking to extend their perfect run at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 when they take on Spain in a mouth-watering quarter-final clash on Friday.

Go Oiwa’s side were imperious in the group stage, winning all three of their matches with seven goals scored without reply but face arguably their toughest challenge yet in the shape of 1992 champions and 2020 runners-up Spain.

Ikeda pleased after Nadeshiko overcome adversity to book last eight spot

Thu, 01 Aug, 2024

Ikeda pleased after Nadeshiko overcome adversity to book last eight spot

Nantes: Head coach Futoshi Ikeda was a relieved man after Japan produced a clinical performance to beat Nigeria 3-1 to seal a place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024.

Recovering from losing their Group C opener against Spain, Japan won their next two matches to set up a meeting with four-time champions United States on Saturday.

It hasn’t been an easy campaign with injuries affecting selection but improving conditions allowed Ikeda more flexibility, especially in Wednesday’s win that confirmed them as group runners-up.

Men’s last eight cast decided

Wed, 31 Jul, 2024

Men’s last eight cast decided

Paris: Japan were joined by seven other nations still in the hunt for gold at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 after the completion of the group stage on Tuesday.

Japan will face Spain in the quarter-finals after they beat Israel 1-0 in their final match to finish top Group D with a perfect record.

Japan’s increasing maturity pleases Oiwa

Wed, 31 Jul, 2024

Japan’s increasing maturity pleases Oiwa

Nantes: Japan remained flawless after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Israel in their final Group D match at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 with head coach Go Oiwa delighted to see the growing maturity in his team.

It was their third straight win in a row as well as many clean sheets,  a record they share with France heading into the knockout stage. 

Despite making six changes to the starting lineup with qualification to the quarter-finals already assured prior to the match, Japan continued to shine and it was exactly the kind of development that Oiwa wanted to see.

Outgoing Gustavsson hails Matildas’ spirit despite early exit

Thu, 01 Aug, 2024

Outgoing Gustavsson hails Matildas’ spirit despite early exit

Paris: Australia may have bowed out of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 at the group stage for the first time in 24 years, but head coach Tony Gustavsson was full of praise for his team’s dedication and spirit.

Australia’s Olympic hopes were hanging by a thread after the United States held off a late fightback to leave the Stade de Marseille as 2-1 winners with goals from Trinity Rodman and Korbin Albert.

Canada’s subsequent 1-0 win over Colombia confirmed Australia’s exit, marking the first time since Sydney 2000 that the Matildas failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Women’s knockout stage lineup finalised

Thu, 01 Aug, 2024

Women’s knockout stage lineup finalised

Paris: Japan will represent Asia in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 after the conclusion of the group stage on Wednesday.

Japan will face four-time champions and Group B winners the United States in the quarter-finals after the Nadeshiko beat Nigeria 3-1 in their final match to finish second in Group C on Wednesday.

It will be a repeat of the 2012 final which the United States won 2-1, having lost the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup final to Japan.

Elneny moves to Al Jazira, Honda heads to Bhutan

Wed, 31 Jul, 2024

Elneny moves to Al Jazira, Honda heads to Bhutan

Abu Dhabi: Egyptian international Mohamed Elneny was unveiled as a new signing by UAE Pro League side Al Jazira Club on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old midfielder parted ways with English club Arsenal after spending eight seasons with the Premier League outfit and will now work with head coach Hussein Ammouta at Al Jazira.

Elneny is currently at the Paris Olympics 2024 with Egypt, having helped his team advance to the quarter-final stage as Group C winners after beating Spain on Tuesday.

Preliminary battles to kick-start #ACLElite 2024/25

Wed, 24 Jul, 2024

Preliminary battles to kick-start #ACLElite 2024/25

Kuala Lumpur: Five teams will embark on their quest to scale the pinnacle of Asian men’s club football this month when the Preliminary Stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) 2024/25 takes place from August 6 to 13.

Having each been allocated indirect slots for the prestigious competition, Qatar’s Al Gharafa SC, Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC and United Arab Emirates’ Shabab Al Ahli will vie for one berth in the League Stage (West), while China PR’s Shandong Taishan FC will square off against Thailand’s Bangkok United to decide likewise for the East.