Japan - players.bio

Barcelona, Osasuna appeals rejected over rearranged match date

BARCELONA: Barcelona and Osasuna’s appeals against the rescheduled date of their postponed La Liga match were rejected Thursday by the Spanish football federation’s appeals committee. The La Liga leaders will host Osasuna on March 27, after the game was canceled when a Barcelona club doctor died on the original date, March 8. Barcelona appealed against the new date because it allowed some of their players “insufficient time to rest” following international duty. “Precedent... establishes that national team call-ups are not sufficient grounds for rescheduling a match...

Summer fight night sees UFC return to Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI: The world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, Ultimate Fighting Championship, has announced its return to Abu Dhabi this summer. The summer fight night, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism, will take place at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island on July 26. UFC’s return to the UAE capital follows two spectacular events last year. In August, fans were treated to an elite bantamweight showdown at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov, where Umar Nurmagomedov secured a hard-fought victory over Cory Sandhagen with a five-round decision.

Belgian club Anderlecht fire coach and rehire Besnik Hasi to the end of the season

BRUSSELS: Belgium’s most successful club, Anderlecht, have fired coach David Hubert and replaced him with Besnik Hasi until the end of the season. Thursday’s move came as the Belgian league enter their playoff phase. Anderlecht finished the regular season in fourth place. The 53-year-old Hasi, who also coached teams in Poland, Greece and Saudi Arabia, is returning to Anderlecht after guiding the team to the league title in 2014. He also played for the Brussels team. “I know this club and the expectations that come with it,” he said.

Japan First To Seal 2026 FIFA World Cup Spot As South Korea, Australia Get Closer

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as South Korea were held but still inched closer along with a rampant Australia. Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo scored in the second half to give Japan a 2-0 home win over Bahrain and take their place alongside hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico at next year's finals. The runaway Asian Group C leaders failed to sparkle on a chilly night in Saitama until substitute Kamada pounced for the opener in the 66th minute. In front of nearly 60,000 fans, Kubo added another in the 87th minute as Japan sealed their berth in style.

Versatile Ledecka wins parallel giant slalom at snowboard world championships

Ester Ledecka added another trophy to her collection of silverware when she won the parallel giant slalom at the snowboard world championships on Thursday in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Japan first to seal World Cup spot as South Korea, Australia get closer

HONG KONG: Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as South Korea were held but still inched closer along with a rampant Australia. Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo scored in the second half to give Japan a 2-0 home win over Bahrain and take their place alongside hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico at next year’s finals. The runaway Asian Group C leaders failed to sparkle on a chilly night in Saitama until substitute Kamada pounced for the opener in the 66th minute. In front of nearly 60,000 fans, Kubo added another in the 87th minute as Japan sealed their berth in style. It will be their eighth straight World Cup appearance. “I’m relieved that we could qualify at home in front of our supporters,” said Kubo, before he and his team-mates doused coach Hajjime Moriyasu with water. “This here is not our goal — we want to compete against strong teams at the World Cup.” Australia are in pole position to qualify out of Group C with Japan. Two goals in two minutes helped the Socceroos secure a 5-1 thrashing of Indonesia as Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert was well beaten in his first game in charge. Japan lead on 19 points.

Japan becomes 1st team to qualify for 2026 World Cup after host nations

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after beating Bahrain 2-0 at Saitama Stadium on Thursday.

Canadians to watch at this weekend's indoor world championships

Some of Canada's top track and field athletes will be in Nanjing, China this weekend for the World Athletic Indoor Championships.

Contacts

Japan Sport News

Barcelona, Osasuna appeals rejected over rearranged match date

Summer fight night sees UFC return to Abu Dhabi

Belgian club Anderlecht fire coach and rehire Besnik Hasi to the end of the season

Japan First To Seal 2026 FIFA World Cup Spot As South Korea, Australia Get Closer

Versatile Ledecka wins parallel giant slalom at snowboard world championships

Japan first to seal World Cup spot as South Korea, Australia get closer

Japan becomes 1st team to qualify for 2026 World Cup after host nations

Canadians to watch at this weekend's indoor world championships