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MYSTERIOUS: Samurai blue - What They Never Told You

Mighty Japan stand in Socceroos’ way – but it has never been a better time to face them

Samurai Blue have earned the right to bring a squad containing just seven players with more than 10 caps to Australia for a World Cup qualifier

The Guardian - AU

Japan are the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup – are they an outside bet to succeed next summer?

Samurai Blue breezed through AFC qualification and Hajime Moriyasu will lead them at his second World Cup finals

FourFourTwo

Groundhog Day for Socceroos as Japan again stand in way on road to World Cup

Australia have been drawn in a tough group with familiar opponents who threaten a circuitous route to the 2026 tournament

The Guardian - AU

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The best Asian footballers ever

Ranking the continent's finest players of all time

FourFourTwo

Newcastle Jets sign their first-ever player from Japan

New Newcastle recruit Manabu Saito scored a goal against the Socceroos in the Samurai Blue's 3-2 win in 2013.

Newcastle Herald

Iwate Pref. metal behind midfielder Tanaka's mettle

Samurai Blue midfielder Ao Tanaka, 24, is a man of iron in the soccer world, as he incorporated Nambu Tekki ironware into his conditioning.

The Japan News/Yomiuri

Moriyasu to stay on as Samurai Blue manager

Hajime Moriyasu, who led the national soccer team to its second consecutive top-16 World Cup finish in Qatar, will continue in the role, the Japan Football Association (JFA) announced Wednesday.

The Japan News/Yomiuri

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Kishida: Samurai Blue surprised world

The Samurai Blue may have been defeated by Croatia in the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament in Qatar, but they have left their fans satisfied.

The Japan News/Yomiuri

Samurai Blue fall short in shootout

AL WAKRAH, Qatar -- For 120 minutes, Japan was certainly Croatia's equal. But when their World Cup round-of-16 match came down to a penalty shootout, Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic proved the dominant force.

The Japan News/Yomiuri

Daring Japan showcase brave new era at World Cup despite penalty heartache

The Samurai Blue displayed a versatile, eye-catching style in Qatar, which can fuel an exciting future

The Independent UK

Croatia Defeats Japan on PKs to Clinch Spot in World Cup Quarterfinals

Goals from Daizen Maeda and Ivan Perišić sent the game to extra time before Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković made three saves in a penalty-kick shootout.

Sports Illustrated

Samurai Blue heroics attract interest outside stadiums

DOHA -- Japan's historic toppling of a pair of European giants to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup has generated increased interest in the country beyond the confines of the stadiums.

The Japan News/Yomiuri

Japan’s Samurai Blue ready to enter the fray once more against Croatia

Veteran defender Yuto Nagatomo’s rousing speech symbolises togetherness of a team determined to ease painful memories

The Guardian - UK

Samurai Blue prepare to make history

DOHA -- Members of Japan's national soccer team were back on the training field in Doha on Saturday to prepare for Monday's match against Croatia, in a bid to make the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time.

The Japan News/Yomiuri

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The Japan News/Yomiuri

Moriyasu: Croatians play with flexibility, tenacity

DOHA -- Ahead of Japan's match against Croatia on Monday in the round of 16 at the Qatar World Cup, Samurai Blue coach Hajime Moriyasu made it clear he is not underestimating the Croatians, who he said "play with great flexibility and tenacity."

Football London

Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu explains how he stopped Spain duo and makes huge Japan promise

Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu helped Japan from the substitutes bench to earn a historic victory over Spain in the World Cup

The Japan News/Yomiuri

Kishida congratulates Moriyasu after game

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida congratulated the Samurai Blue for winning their FIFA World Cup match against Spain early Friday morning that allowed them to advance to the tournament's knockout phase.

The Japan News/Yomiuri

Japan makes last 16 with 2nd shock victory

DOHA -- Japan's Samurai Blue pulled off its second shock of the Qatar World Cup over a European power, rallying with two goals in the second half to stun Spain 2-1 on Thursday night in Doha and advance to the knockout round as the unlikely top team in Group E.

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The Japan News/Yomiuri

VAR rewards Samurai hustle Victory helped by VAR

A lengthy review by the video assistant referee (VAR) preceded confirmation of Japan's second goal against Spain on Thursday, as the Samurai Blue secured yet another shock win at the Qatar World Cup following last week's victory against powerhouse Germany.

The Independent UK

Hajime Moriyasu gifts Spain World Cup win to people of Japan

Just as they did against Germany, two quickfire goals after half-time gave Japan another famous victory

Bangkok Post

Careless Spain get reality check from Japan

DOHA: It looked like business as usual for Spain in their final World Cup Group E game against Japan as they dominated possession, notched an early goal and looked set to advance as group winners despite making five changes to their side.

Sports Illustrated

Japan Win Clinches Group, Spain Still Through to Knockouts

The Samurai Blue came out of the halftime break with two goals in the first six minutes to take a shock 2–1 lead over Spain.

Al Jazeera

World Cup recap, Day 8: Morocco beats Belgium, Germany still in

Morocco win stuns Belgium, Japan in surprise defeat to Costa Rica, Croatia knocks out Canada, Germany draws with Spain.

The Guardian - UK

‘A historic moment’: Japanese World Cup hopes surge ahead of crucial Costa Rica match

Fans believe the Samurai Blue are part of wave of teams changing the face of football after defeat of Germany

The Japan News/Yomiuri

Japan fans rewarded for stadium clean-ups

DOHA -- Japanese soccer fans have received an award from FIFA for picking up trash in stadiums, following the Samurai Blue's stunning victory against Germany in their World Cup opener in Doha on Wednesday.

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