Japan’s thoughts after the Iran match: “I couldn’t feel enough passion from us on the pitch” – Takehiro Tomiyasu
National Team
Rocked by off-the-pitch turmoil, Japan will take on Iran as Ueda’s strong form and fast breaks could be keys in de facto final
Japan’s thoughts after the Bahrain match: “People often talk about Europe or domestic, but I think Maikuma’s performance showed that it doesn’t matter where you play but what you do” – Takefusa Kubo
Japan 3-1 Bahrain: J.League sensation Maikuma help Samurai Blue cruise past the islanders to reach last eight for nine consecutive time
Japan must contain Bahrain’s counter attack and aim to tear down their left side, with the prospect of Mitoma’s return
Out-of-form Daichi Kamada dropped but injured Kaoru Mitoma a surprise call-up as Japan aim for fifth Asian title
JPN round up in the top five European leagues: Wataru Endo played full minutes against leaders while Keito Nakamura scored the winner in France
World
Champions League and Europa League Matchday 6 review: Arsenal, Real Sociedad, Brighton, Liverpool finished top and Lazio, Freiburg, Sporting qualified as well
Champions League and Europa League Matchday 5 review: Takehiro Tomiyasu assisted twice to seal Arsenal’s top spot while Ritsu Doan scored his second goal in the Europa League
Kaoru Mitoma, Takefusa Kubo and other players in Europe were called up for the matches against lower-ranked opponents in the Asian second qualifying round for the World Cup, but domestic fans are divided on the selection
Champions League and Europa League Matchday 4 review: Takefusa Kubo’s Real Sociedad qualified for the knockout round, Ritsu Doan scored in the last minutes
JPN round up in the top five European leagues: Kaoru Mitoma caused a crucial own goal, Takuma Asano scored a brace, and Junya Ito got one
12 Japanese played in Matchday 3 of the Champions League and the Europa League: Endo and Furuhashi scored, Maeda and Doan assisted
13 Japanese footballers played in Matchday 2 of the Champions League and the Europa League: Furuhashi scored, Kubo and Mitoma assisted
Wataru Endo, Kaoru Mitoma, Takefusa Kubo, and Takehiro Tomiyasu selected for Japan which aim a repeat of famous victory against Germany on their home soil this time
Who could be the next Kaoru Mitoma or Takefusa Kubo? Japanese teenage J.Leaguers draw attention from European clubs including Chelsea and Juventus
J.League