Saitama

Japan’s Reds in 1-0 win over Al Hilal to take Asian Champions League title

SAITAMA - Muslimchronicle

Brazilian Rafael Silva smashed a late winner as Japan’s Urawa Reds beat 10-man Al Hilal 1-0 on Saturday to win the Asian Champions League for a second time. The forward, who scored in last weekend’s 1-1 first-leg draw in Riyadh, blasted a superb winner two minutes from time for Urawa, who were last crowned continental champions in 2007. Japanese teamsRead more

Japan into World Cup as China, Syria stay alive

Saitama - Muslimchronicle

Japan beat Australia Thursday to qualify for their sixth successive World Cup but South Korea missed a golden opportunity to join them in Russia when they could only draw against 10-man Iran. The goalless draw in Seoul means South Korea's hopes of qualifying from Group A for their ninth successive finals were left hanging in the balance when a winRead more

Talking points ahead of pivotal World Cup 2018 qualifier in Al Ain

Dubai - Arab Today

Is Ahmed Khalil fit? Scorer of both goals in last September’s shock 2-1 victory in Saitama, captain that famous night, 2015 Asian player of the year and the most prolific forward in all of this World Cup qualification with 15 goals. No wonder Ahmed Khalil has adopted heroic qualities for the UAE, one of the continent’s most-feared strikers on theRead more

UAE v Japan: Mahdi Ali has selection headaches ahead of 2018 World Cup qualifier

Al Ain - Arab Today

Mahdi Ali said he is confident his UAE side can overcome their sizeable injury list to achieve a positive result in Thursday’s crunch World Cup qualifier against Japan. The national team, fourth in Group B at the halfway stage of the final phase of qualification for Russia 2018, host their second-placed rivals at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium without severalRead more

UAE v Japan, 2018 World Cup qualifier

Dubai - Arab Today

The UAE resume their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign later this month when they host Japan — a hugely important match. Here are the details. What is at stake The UAE are attempting to qualify for only a second World Cup following their solitary appearance, in 1990. Mahdi Ali’s current side have arguably the greatest opportunity since then, with theRead more

Get tough on medical exemptions

Saitama - Arab Today

Three-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome has called for tighter rules on medical exemptions in cycling after British anti-doping officials launched an investigation into former Sky team-mate Bradley Wiggins. Wiggins and Team Sky are the subject of an inquiry into the contents of a medical package delivered to the team doctor before the 2011 Tour de France, prompting FroomeRead more

Evergrande on brink of shock AFC Champions League exit

Saitama - Arab Today

Yuki Muto’s second-half winner left title-holders Guangzhou Evergrande teetering on the brink of a shock AFC Champions League exit as they went down 1-0 to Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday. Muto's header seven minutes after half-time consigned Luiz Felipe Scolari’s super-rich Chinese champions to their second defeat in four games and left them rooted to the bottom of Group H.Read more

Kagawa double helps Japan smash Syria 5-0 in World Cup qualifier

Saitama - Arab Today

Japan thrashed Syria 5-0 to finish top of their World Cup qualifying group on Tuesday but they needed a flurry of late goals to give the scoreline a flattering complexion. A freak own goal from Hamdi Al Masri after 17 minutes put Japan in front before Shinji Kagawa scored twice and Syria crumbled in the second half as the homeRead more