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Gamba Osaka announced the registration of striker Patric on Friday, the final day of the J.League’s winter transfer window. The 2015 J.League Best XI selection had not yet been registered to the squad due to his ongoing rehabilitation from right knee surgery, but is expected to be able to return to action in June. “I’m grateful to be…

FC Tokyo on Thursday announced an update to the status of midfielder Yojiro Takahagi. The 30-year-old, who joined the capital club this winter on a full transfer from FC Seoul, is expected to miss three weeks of action after fracturing a bone in his right toe. The injury forced Takahagi to withdraw from Japan’s national team during last week&rsq…

Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday announced the signing of midfielder Kensei Nakashima to a ‘Pro A’ contract. The 20-year-old qualified for the upgrade after earning his 450th minute of playing time during the team’s 2017 J.League YBC Levain Cup match against Cerezo Osaka on March 15.  He has yet to appear for F. Marinos in the J…

Shimizu S-Pulse on Wednesday announced the signing of striker Tiago Alves on a season-long rental from Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal. The 24-year-old, who has previously played in South Korea’s K-League as well as his native Brazil, will wear the No.8 shirt for the J.League co-founders. “I thank God for giving me a chance to play for Shimi…

Machida Zelvia on Wednesday announced the arrival of defender Shigeto Masuda on a year-long loan from Albirex Niigata. The move marks the 24-year-old’s return to the suburban Tokyo club for the first time since the 2015 MEIJI YASUDA J3 League season, when he scored four goals in 32 appearances.  “I want to re-adjust to Machida-style f…

Despite a resounding 4-0 win over Thailand, Japan’s players still see plenty of room for improvement. The result left the Samurai Blue on top of Group B in 2018 World Cup qualifying thanks to goals by Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Okazaki, Yuya Kubo and Maya Yoshida. Nevertheless, Masato Morishige felt the scoreline belies the difficulty of the match an…

Japan thoroughly outclassed Thailand 4-0 in their World Cup qualifying clash on Tuesday, as Yuya Kubo’s match-winning performance saw a party atmosphere take over Saitama Stadium. The Samurai Blue took control of Group B with the win sending them top of the standings on 16 points, three clear of rivals Australia. It was Shinji Kagawa who got the…

Hiroshi Kiyotake expects Japan to stay on the attack when they host Thailand on Tuesday night. The Samurai Blue will be looking to replicate their 2-0 win in Bangkok last September and remain on pace to secure a sixth straight FIFA World Cup berth. And Kiyotake, who sat out Japan’s 2-0 win over UAE last week, expects his men to enforce themselve…

Vahid Halilhodzic emphasized high expectations for Japan ahead of their key 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Thailand on Tuesday night. A win in the friendly confines of Saitama Stadium would give the Samurai Blue a significant advantage in the Group B standings heading into their final three matches. And Halilhodzic expects his men to capitalise…

The fifth round of the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League concluded on Saturday with six matches taking place across the country. After Hiroyuki Takasaki’s penalty gave Matsumoto Yamaga a 15th-minute lead against Nagoya Grampus, a pair of own-goals in the second half saw his team’s day end in a 2-1 defeat. Machida Zelvia’s Akira Toshima and Yuda…

Kawasaki Frontale have announced that defender Yusuke Igawa will miss four months of action after undergoing surgery late last week. The 34-year-old suffered a torn ligament in his right knee during the team’s match against Guangzhou Evergrande in the AFC Champions League on March 14. Igawa, who joined Frontale in 2006 after playing for Gamba Os…

The fifth round of the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League opened on Saturday with five of 11 matches taking place. Shonan Bellmare remained undefeated after a 2-0 home win over JEF United Chiba, with Dinei and Yuta Narawa lighting up the scoreboard. At Ajinomoto Stadium, Alan Pinheiro scored in his fourth straight match for Tokyo Verdy to give them a 1-0 victory …

Gamba Osaka on Friday released an update on injured goalkeeper Yosuke Fujigaya. The 36-year-old was stretchered off during the team’s 1-1 draw against Urawa Reds on March 19 in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League Round 4 and has been diagnosed with a calf muscle injury. The team has yet to set a timetable for the return of Fujigaya, who himself was appea…

Kashiwa Reysol on Friday announced the signing of Hajime Hosogai on a full transfer from Germany’s Stuttgart, with the midfielder declaring himself “excited and nervous”. The 30-year-old last played in the J.League in 2010, spending six seasons at Urawa Reds before moving to Germany’s FC Augsburg.  He has since played for …

Vahid Halilhodzic has indicated that Japan’s win over UAE would have been nothing if they do not beat Thailand next in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Speaking after the Samurai Blue’s strong 2-0 win at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, the trainer praised a “beautiful” performance and hailed his men’s control of the encounter. Ha…

Yasuyuki Konno was left to celebrate a dream return for Japan after he scored in their 2-0 win over UAE, and declared his strike a “miracle”. The Gamba Osaka veteran, who was receiving his first international outing since March 2015, netted the clincher at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday. Afterwards, he reflected on his initial nervous…

Vegalta Sendai striker Sota Hirayama will miss 12 weeks after undergoing surgery on his left foot, the club announced on Thursday. The 31-year-old was treated for the peroneal tendon dislocation on March 11. Hirayama has yet to make his debut for Vegalta after joining from FC Tokyo in the winter.

Yasuyuki Konno celebrated a dream return to the Japanese national team with a goal as his side came away from UAE with a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win. The Samurai Blue are now second in the AFC qualifying table for Russia 2018, as Yuya Kubo netted his maiden international goal with the opener from Hiroki Sakai’s pass in the 13th minute. Eiji Kaw…

Yokohama FC on Wednesday announced the signing of free agent goalkeeper Takashi Kitano. The 34-year-old veteran spent over a decade at Albirex Niigata and Omiya Ardija before joining Cerezo Osaka in 2015.  He was released from the Kansai club at the end of last season after two seasons with no appearances, and will now look to reestablish himself…

Japan midfielder Yasuyuki Konno said he was initially nervous to be called up by the national team again, but is now just ready to do his job. The Gamba Osaka veteran last featured for the Samurai Blue in March 2015 and has since been out of the fold, though he was included in Vahid Halilhodzic’s plans for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against…