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Title, not qualification, is Moriyasu’s target for Japan

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

Title, not qualification, is Moriyasu’s target for Japan

Xiamen: Tuesday’s 3-1 win over China PR means Japan are on the cusp of FIFA World Cup 26 qualification but head coach Hajime Moriyasu wants his players to not just settle for that but aim for glory at the global showpiece.

Despite a spirited challenge from China PR, Japan were simply too strong as they moved up to 16 points, nine ahead of Australia and one win away from sealing an eighth consecutive appearance at Finals.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/asianqualifiers-road-to-26-|-group-c-china-pr-1-3-japan

Group C: China PR 1-3 Japan

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

Group C: China PR 1-3 Japan

Xiamen: Koki Ogawa scored a header in each half as Japan handed China PR a 3-1 defeat in Xiamen on Tuesday to maintain their commanding lead at the top of Group C in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26.

A pair of corners late in the first half broke the Chinese resistance, Ogawa putting Hajime Moriyasu’s side in front with a 39th minute header and Ko Itakura adding the second six minutes into injury time from close range.

And while Lin Liangming pulled one back for China PR three minutes into the restart, Ogawa’s second header of the game restored Japan’s two-goal lead and ensured the visitors took the three points.

The win sees the Japanese extend their unbeaten run qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to 12 matches and the Samurai Blue sit on 16 points from six games in the current phase of qualifiers while the Chinese remain on six points.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/photo/group-c-china-pr-v-japan

Preview - Group C: China PR v Japan

Tue, 19 Nov, 2024

Preview - Group C: China PR v Japan

Xiamen: Xiamen: China PR will not only be out to continue their resurgence but also redeem their pride when they face Japan in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C match on Tuesday, having suffered a hefty 7-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.

The crushing start to their campaign saw China PR going on to lose to Saudi Arabia and Australia but back-to-back wins against Indonesia and Bahrain have pushed them back into the mix for automatic qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

Moriyasu promises that Japan will remain focused

Sat, 16 Nov, 2024

Moriyasu promises that Japan will remain focused

Jakarta: Hajime Moriyasu has vowed to continue taking a game-by-game approach to the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 even as his Japan side opened up a seven point gap at the top of Group C at the halfway stage with a 4-0 win over Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday.

The Japanese continued their unbeaten start to the campaign with another comprehensive win that featured a fourth clean sheet for the Samurai Blue, who have only conceded once since the current phase of qualifying started in September.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/asianqualifiers-road-to-26-|-group-c-indonesia-0-4-japan

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/photo/group-c-indonesia-v-japan

Group C: Indonesia 0-4 Japan

Sat, 16 Nov, 2024

Group C: Indonesia 0-4 Japan

Jakarta: Japan moved seven points clear at the top of Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 on Friday as Hajime Moriyasu's side weathered an early storm to hand Indonesia a 4-0 defeat at a sold-out Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

A Justin Hubner own goal in the 35th minute gave the Japanese the lead and Takumi Minamino doubled the advantage with a crisp first-time finish five minutes later.

Goals from Hidemasa Morita and Yukinari Sugawara in the 49th and 69th minutes respectively put the seal on another emphatic win for the Samurai Blue.

Victory moves Moriyasu's side further ahead of the chasing pack in the quest for one of the two automatic berths available at the 2026 Finals with Japan now on 13 points from five games as the qualifiers reach the halfway point.

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v Japan

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v Japan

Jakarta: Japan will be eyeing to get back on the winning trail when they take on Indonesia in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C match on Friday.

A 1-1 draw with Australia on Matchday Four halted Japan’s three-match winning run and head coach Hajime Moriyasu has warned his players to be wary of Indonesia's ability to rise to the occasion when playing at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.  

East Asia Wrap: Kobe stay in front; Gangwon on the cusp

Mon, 11 Nov, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Kobe stay in front; Gangwon on the cusp

Kobe: Defending champions Vissel Kobe were held to a 1-1 draw by Tokyo Verdy but extended their lead in the J League 1 title race as second placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima suffered more agony in a 3-0 defeat to Urawa Red Diamonds.

In Korea Republic, Gangwon are eyeing a second place finish in the K League 1, while  Incheon United suffered relegation.

There were also matches in Hong Kong, so join the-AFC.com as we review the past week's domestic action across East Asia.

Groups finalised for China 2025

Thu, 07 Nov, 2024

Groups finalised for China 2025

Shenzhen: The AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 is primed for thrilling action following the conclusion of the official draw at Grand Skylight International Guanlan in Shenzhen, China PR on Thursday.

The 16 teams were drawn into four groups with not just continental glory at stake but also four tickets to the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 in Chile.