Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Mateo Carreras holds off the attempted tackle of Japan's Siosaia Fifita

Pumas set up Wales QF date after winning Japan showdown

Argentina set up a World Cup quarter-final against Wales after beating Japan 39-27 in their winner-takes-all Pool D clash.

Rugby • 09 Oct

Rikiya Matsuda (CL) celebrates after Michael Leitch (CR) scored Japan's second try

Japan boost knockout hopes by holding off 14-man Samoa

Japan boosted their chances of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the second successive time as they beat Samoa 28-22 in Toulouse.

Rugby World Cup • 29 Sep

England again fail to shine but do enough to down Japan

England toiled at times but profited from a bizarre second half try to defeat Japan 34-12 at the Stade de Nice on Sunday and earn …

Rugby • 18 Sep

Amato Fakatava breaks through to score Japan's first try

Six-try Japan overwhelm debutants Chile

Japan ran in six converted tries as they kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 42-12 bonus win against debutants Chile.

Rugby World Cup • 11 Sep

Hansi Flick replaced Jogi Low as manager in 2021

Germany sack Flick after heavy Japan defeat

Hansi Flick has been sacked as Germany manager following the team's 4-1 friendly defeat at home to Japan.

Soccer • 10 Sep

Sweden cling on to set up semi-final with Spain

Sweden held off a late Japan fightback to reach the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup for the fifth time with a 2-1 win at …

Soccer • 11 Aug

Women's World Cup recap: Japan 1-2 Sweden

Japan couldn't live up to their billing as pre-match favourites as Sweden secured a semi-final spot against Spain in Auckland on Tuesday after recording a …

Soccer • 11 Aug

Hinata Miyazawa delivered a cool finish as the Japanese march on

Miyazawa strikes again as Japan easily see off Norway

Hinata Miyazawa scored her fifth goal of the tournament as Japan beat Norway 3-1 in a clash of former champions to reach the quarter-finals of …

FIFA Women's World Cup • 10 Aug

Women's World Cup recap: Japan 3-1 Norway

Read how it all unfolded as Japan ran out impressive winners.

FIFA Women's World Cup • 05 Aug

Japan scored 11 goals and did not concede during the group stages

Women's World Cup: What to expect on Day 17

The group stages are in the rearview mirror and Vera Pauw's Republic of Ireland squad have already been welcomed home but now it's time for …

FIFA Women's World Cup • 04 Aug

Hinata Miyazawa netted a brace for an impressive Japan side

Japan hammer Spain to top their World Cup group

Hinata Miyazawa scored twice as former champions Japan put on a counter-attacking clinic to beat Spain 4-0 and lock up top spot in Group C …

Soccer • 31 Jul

Japan see off Costa Rica and advance to knockouts

Two goals in two first-half minutes gave Japan a 2-0 win over Costa Rica at Dunedin Stadium as the 2011 champions secured a spot in …

FIFA Women's World Cup • 26 Jul

Riko Ueki celebrates after scoring a re-taken penalty to make it 5-0

Five-star Japan brush aside debutants Zambia

Japan romped to a 5-0 over the Republic of Ireland's recent friendly opponents Zambia in their FIFA Women's World Cup opener at Waikato Stadium.

FIFA Women's World Cup • 22 Jul

Jamie Joseph will have spent seven years at the helm in Japan

Joseph to step down as Japan coach after World Cup

Jamie Joseph said he will step down as Japan head coach after this year's Rugby World Cup in France.

Rugby • 06 Jul

Shohei Ohtani (R) celebrates with his team-mates after Japan won the 2023 World Baseball Classic

Japan edge USA to win World Baseball Classic

Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout in a showdown between two of the game's best players to seal Japan's 3-2 victory over the United States …

US Sport • 22 Mar

Sarah McAuley was involved in Ireland's first goal

Bronze eludes Ireland as Japan win Nations Cup clash

Ireland have finished fourth at the Women's FIH Hockey Nations Cup after a 3-2 defeat to Japan in the bronze medal match in Valencia, Spain.

Hockey • 17 Dec 22

Dominik Livakovic is congratulated by Zlatko Dalic after his pivotal role in Croatia's success over Japan

Livakovic shootout heroics no surprise to Croatia boss

Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic was certain goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic would star in the penalty shootout victory over Japan as his three saves saw the 2018 …

Soccer • 06 Dec 22

World Cup 2022: Croatia beat Japan on penalties - recap

Croatia goalkeeper Dominic Kivakovic saved penalties from Japan's Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida before Mario Pasalic netted the winning spot-kick as they advanced …

Soccer • 05 Dec 22

Dominik Livakovic celebrates with his Croatia team-mates

Livakovic stars in shootout as Croatia see off Japan

Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three spot-kicks in a penalty shootout success against Japan following a 1-1 draw to ensure his side reached the World …

Soccer • 05 Dec 22

Brazil fans unfurl a banner of the legendary Pele

World Cup 2022: What to expect on Day 16

The Boys from Brazil are back in action on Monday night as the World Cup favourites look to book their place in the quarter-finals of …

Soccer • 05 Dec 22

Yuto Nagatomo (L) and Ritsu Doan celebrate Japan's victory over Spain on Thursday

World Cup digest: Nagatomo wants 'Samurai spirit'

Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo has called on his team-mates to evoke the 'Samurai spirit' as they aim to overcome 2018's beaten finalists Croatia on Monday …

Soccer • 04 Dec 22

Ao Tanaka's goal generated significant controversy

World Cup digest: FIFA defends VAR on Japan goal

FIFA insists Japan's second goal in their shock World Cup victory over Spain was legitimate "on the evidence available", and added some of the images …

Soccer • 02 Dec 22

Flick fine with flak as Germany make exit

Hansi Flick said Germany only had themselves to blame after they crashed out in the group stages of the World Cup.

Soccer • 02 Dec 22

Hajime Moriyasu orchestrated a second win over a European football giant as Japan edged out Spain

Japan boss Moriyasu: 'We played as one'

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu praised the determination of his side after a stunning second-half comeback saw them beat Spain to book their place in the …

Soccer • 02 Dec 22

World Cup 2022: Germany left cursing Japan win - recap

Japan sensationally beat Spain 2-1 at the World Cup but both sides progress to the knockout stages, with group rivals Germany exiting the tournament despite …

Soccer • 01 Dec 22