Japan
1st in FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFC2023 Fixtures
The J1 League will crown its 2024 champions this weekend with three teams still a chance of winning it.
Hajime Moriyasu has said Japan's goal is not to reach the World Cup but to win it. Are they a realistic chance?
With Ayase Ueda absent, Kōki Ogawa took his chance to lead the Japan attack with both hands this past week.
China will be looking to show how far they've come from the last time they met Japan and suffered a 7-0 humbling.
Japan thrashed Indonesia 4-0 in Jakarta on Friday as Hajime Moriyasu's relentless side moved seven points clear at the top of Group C of Asia's 2026 World Cup qualifiers and another step closer to an automatic finals spot.
For the first time in the third round of Asian qualifiers, Indonesia were given a reality check by Japan.
Kyoga Nakamura was happy to win his first Singapore cap but believes improvement is needed ahead of the ASEAN Championship.
Yuma Suzuki's record speaks for itself yet he continues to be overlooked by Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu.
With Ayase Ueda sidelined, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu will have a huge void to fill in the upcoming Asian qualifiers.
Japanese soccer player Kazuyoshi Miura is several generations older than his teammates. His contemporaries retired decades ago. Lionel Messi is 37, and Cristiano Ronaldo is 39 - mere youngsters compared to Miura.
WCQ - AFC Table
# | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Japan | 6 | +20 | 16 |
2 | Australia | 6 | +1 | 7 |
3 | Indonesia | 6 | -3 | 6 |
4 | Saudi Arabia | 6 | -3 | 6 |
5 | Bahrain | 6 | -5 | 6 |
6 | China | 6 | -10 | 6 |
Team Leaders
Top Scorers
# | Player | Goals | M | A |
---|---|---|---|---|
Koki Ogawa | 6 | 8 | 1 | |
Takumi Minamin.. | 4 | 10 | 2 | |
Ritsu Doan | 3 | 10 | 4 |
Top Assists
# | Player | Assists | M | G |
---|---|---|---|---|
Junya Ito | 9 | 7 | 1 | |
Takefusa Kubo | 5 | 7 | 2 | |
Ritsu Doan | 4 | 10 | 3 |