Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: A cool January evening in Doha saw Japan lift their fourth AFC Asian Cup trophy after defeating Australia in extra time. Goalscorer Tadanari Lee remembers a historic moment for him and for the Samurai Blue.
Tadanari Lee may not have been the prolific goal scorer for Japan that Kunishige Kamamoto or Kazuyoshi Miura were, but having only registered two goals for his nation, he will always have a place in history books and in the memory of Japanese football fans.
The 2007 AFC Asian Cup was the first time the Samurai Blue failed to reach the final in two decades, so when the following edition rolled around, there was an unprecedented level of determination to make amends.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: The draw for the hotly anticipated AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will take place at Dubai's Burj Al Arab hotel on Friday.
As excitement for the continental competition starts to build, the-AFC.com picks out some of the key statistics from a tournament which boasts a proud history dating all the way back to 1956.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Rostov-on-Don: Keisuke Honda expects Monday’s heartbreaking 2018 FIFA World Cup loss to Belgium to be his last appearance for Japan but he exits the international stage with confidence the country’s young players can take the nation forward in the future.
Honda came off the bench with the scores level at 2-2 as Japan threw away a two-goal advantage before Nacer Chadli’s last-gasp strike took Roberto Martinez’s side into the quarter-finals and leave the Japanese frustrated yet again.
This was the third time Japan have exited the competition at the Round of 16 having lost to Turkey in 2002 and Paraguay in South Africa in 2010, a game in which Honda played as the Samurai Blue were knocked out in a penalty shootout.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Rostov-on-Don: Maya Yoshida stressed Japan must learn the lessons from their dramatic defeat at the hands of Belgium on Monday as the Samurai Blue were eliminated from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the most agonising fashion.
The four-time AFC Asian Cup winners threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 in stoppage time as the Japanese missed out once more on a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
Nacer Chadli’s goal on the break deep into added time handed Belgium the win and ensured Japan’s run at Russia 2018 ended in the last 16, just as it did in 2002 and 2010.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: After more than three years of qualifying suspense, Asia’s best 24 teams finally discovered their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group Stage challengers on Friday.
In a grand spectacle at the United Arab Emirates Burj Khalifa, hosts UAE, who were positioned in first place in Group A, will kick-off Asia’s most prestigious tournament against Bahrain at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 5, 2019.
The host nation will be looking to improve on their second place finish the last time the competition was held in the UAE in 1996, but will face formidable opponents in India and Thailand who complete the cast in Group A.
Meanwhile defending champions Australia were drawn in Group B with 2004 and 2011 quarter-finalists Jordan, Palestine, and Syria, who return to the competition following their absence in Australia 2015.
Continent powerhouses and 2015 finalists Korea Republic, who are on the hunt for their first title since 1960, were drawn in Group C with two-time runners-up China PR as well as two debutants in the UAE 2019 - Kyrgyz Republic and Philippines.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Hosts United Arab Emirates in Group A will open Asia’s most prestigious competition in a thrilling encounter against Bahrain on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 8:00pm UAE time, at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, one of three competition venues in Abu Dhabi.
The Al Nahyan Stadium will host its first match in style when Thailand take on India in Group A on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 5:30pm UAE time. The third stadium in Abu Dhabi - Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium – will take centre-stage on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 8:00pm with Asia’s top ranked side Islamic Republic of Iran taking on Yemen in Group D’s opening match.
Australia’s title defence opener against Jordan will be the first Group B match in Al Ain at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on January 6, 2019 at 3:00pm and the city’s second stadium - Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium - will host its first match between China PR and Asian Cup debutants Kyrgyz Republic in Group C on January 7, 2019 at 3:00pm.
Sharjah Stadium, the sole venue in the Emirate of Sharjah, will welcome the competition when Syria take on Palestine in Group B on January 6, 2019 at 8:00pm.
Dubai’s Rashid Stadium will be the stage for the Group E opener between Saudi Arabia and DPR Korea on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 8:00pm with Korea Republic and the Philippines opening their Group C campaign at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 5:30pm.
The ultimate champions of Asia will be crowned on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 6pm UAE time at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Rostov-on-Don: Japan midfielder Makoto Hasebe said the Samurai Blue have made clear progress under his captaincy over three FIFA World Cups and that it will be on his successor to take the team to the next level.
Hasebe, 34, has skippered Japan since the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where Takeshi Okada’s side went out in the Round of 16 on penalties to Paraguay following a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes.
On Monday, Japan again failed to clear the last 16 hurdle against Belgium, who came back from two goals down midway through the second half to win 3-2, eliminating Akira Nishino’s charges from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Hasebe, though, said Japan’s performance on Monday against one of the tournament favorites spoke volumes about the strides his team has taken since he first wore the armband eight years ago.