Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

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 finalists reach the World Cup quarter-finals in Qatar.

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 to the World Cup quarter-finals. Read back on the game, as it happened.

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 Cup quarter-finals for a third time in their brief history.

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 this year's tournament.

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 and book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

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 shared online were "misleading".

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 last 16 of the World Cup as Group E winners.

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 beating Costa Rica 4-2.

Soccer • 01 Dec 22

Kaoru Mitoma of Japan crosses the ball for his side's second goal

Japan stun Spain to secure World Cup last-16 spot

Japan staged their second stunning turnaround of the World Cup when they beat 2010 champions Spain 2-1 with two quickfire goals and advanced to the last 16 along with their beaten opponents.

Soccer • 02 Dec 22

Niclas Fullkrug (R) celebrates with Germany's coach Hans-Dieter Flick after scoring against Spain

Flick delighted with late bloomer Fullkrug's impact

Hansi Flick praised the determination of Niclas Fullkrug after he came off the bench to score an equaliser against Spain and keep Germany's World Cup hopes alive.

Soccer • 28 Nov 22

The Costa Rica bench reacts to the final whistle at the Al Bayt Stadium

Suarez: Costa Rica have life after Samurai Blue upset

Luis Fernando Suarez has called for more of the same after seeing Costa Rica keep their World Cup dream alive to set up a daunting showdown with Germany.

Soccer • 27 Nov 22

Costa Rica win dents Japanese hopes in open Group E

Costa Rica put a huge dent in Japan's hopes of reaching the World Cup last 16 as they recovered from their hammering by Spain to claim a surprise 1-0 victory in Group E on Sunday.

Soccer • 27 Nov 22

World Cup 2022: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica recap

Read how it all unfolded in the Group E encounter between Japan and Costa Rica.

Soccer • 27 Nov 22

World Cup 2022: Germany 1-2 Japan recap

Germany, one of the powerhouses of world football, defeated by Japan in a pivotal Group E fixture in what will probably turn out to be one of the games of the tournament.

Soccer • 23 Nov 22

Takuma Asano scores the winner for Japan

Japan rise as Germany flop in World Cup opener again

Goals from substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano in the last 15 minutes gave Japan a stunning 2-1 upset over four-times champions Germany in their World Cup Group E opener.

Soccer • 23 Nov 22

World Cup 2022: Spain 7-0 Costa Rica recap

Spain open their 2022 FIFA World Cup Group E account with a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica at the Al Thumama Stadium.

Soccer • 23 Nov 22

Méabh Deely is tackled by Komachi Imakugi

Ireland struggle to second-Test defeat against Japan

Ireland failed to hit the heights of last week's demolition of Japan, falling to a 29-10 defeat in their second Test in Tokyo.

Rugby • 27 Aug 22

Error-strewn France rally for test win over Japan

France had to rally again in the second half to beat Japan for a second successive week as they edged the home team 20-15 in Saturday's second test in Tokyo.

Rugby • 09 Jul 22

Damian Penaud touches down for one of his two tries in Japan

France impress in second half to overpower Japan

Winger Damian Penaud scored two tries as France put together a strong second-half performance for a commanding 42-23 victory over Japan in the first test at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi.

Rugby • 02 Jul 22

Japan and Saudi Arabia qualify for World Cup

Japan beat Australia 2-0 to qualify for World Cup finals for the seventh successive edition, with their victory at Sydney's Olympic Stadium also taking Saudi Arabia through.

Soccer • 24 Mar 22

Australia's Mathew Leckie is brought down against Oman in their 2-2 draw

Setback for Australia, South Korea book World Cup spot

Australia's hopes of automatic qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar were rocked by a late Abdullah Fawaz penalty as Oman claimed a 2-2 draw with Graham Arnold's side in Muscat on Tuesday.

Soccer • 01 Feb 22

'No better woman' - Griffin will be sorely missed

Two-try hero Ciara Griffin will be sorely missed as Ireland shut door on miserable year.

Rugby • 21 Nov 21

Ciara Griffin is held aloft by her team-mates after leading Ireland to victory against Japan

Retiring skipper Griffin pays tribute to family

A tearful Ciara Griffin paid an emotional tribute to her family as she brought the curtain down on her Ireland with a typically inspirational performance against Japan on Saturday evening.

Rugby • 20 Nov 21