Australia a team in steady decline but UAE know Socceroos are a tough nut to crack
As Japanese referee Ryuji Sato blew for full time, Australian bodies slumped to the turf in disappointment and disbelief.
Japan Sport News
Australia Happy To Reach FIFA World Cup Finals "The Hard Way"
Coach Graham Arnold is counting on "Aussie mental strength" to see his side to victory over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and through to another playoff battle for a place in the World Cup finals. Arnold said that Australia seem to like qualifying the "hard way" but insisted that they are ready for the showdown in the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha. The winner will take on Peru in the same air-conditioned stadium on June 13 for a place in the finals that start in Qatar in November. New Zealand will play Costa Rica a day later to decide the final qualifying spot.
'Buzzing' - Former Leeds striker now shares 'huge' Raphinha claim after Barca DoF's decision
Leeds United winger Raphinha will be ‘buzzing’ after helping the Whites to secure Premier League survival, Noel Whelan has said.
Graphic shows the countries who've won the most international trophies - Brazil 2nd
When it comes to World Cups, Brazil stand head and shoulders above the rest.
'Mentality' boosts Brazil's World Cup chances, says manager Tite
Brazil manager Tite said his team's "mentality" can make the difference at the World Cup, after they broke down a stubborn Japan in a 1-0 friendly win in Tokyo on Monday. Neymar broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 77th minute, but only after Japan had frustrated Brazil with a dogged defensive effort. Tite expects to encounter similar resistance at the World Cup in Qatar and he took heart from the way his team continued to plug away against Japan.
Justin Tipuric's next step revealed after Wales and Ospreys star spends a year out of the game
Justin Tipuric is set to put to the test the shoulder he damaged playing for the British and Irish Lions 12 months ago.
Sapporo scraps holding public vote over bidding for 2030 Winter Olympics
Japan's northern city of Sapporo on Monday rejected holding a referendum to give voters a choice over bidding for the 2030 Winter Olympics.
Neymar nets penalty as Brazil beats Japan in friendly
TOKYO (AP) — Brazil defeated Japan 1-0 in a friendly Monday thanks to a penalty by Neymar in the 77th minute after he was tripped in the box on a rainy night at Tokyo's new National Stadium.