Endo captains Liverpool against hometown club Yokohama
YOKOHAMA : Wataru Endo said he could not join Yokohama F Marinos after a trial at the J-League club years ago, after the Japan midfielder returned to his hometown side on Wednesday as a Liverpool player.
It was the first time Endo played in the Liverpool shirt in his own country as the Premier League champions beat Yokohama 3-1 in a pre-season friendly.
'I supported this club actually and I went to (a) trial but I couldn't join this club. Now I came back here as a player of (Liverpool). It was a dream-come-true moment,' the 32-year-old told Liverpool's official website.
'It was an amazing moment for me because I came back to Japan as a Liverpool player. For me, it meant a lot.'
Endo made his senior debut at Shonan Bellmare, a club based in Hiratsuka, over 30km away from Yokohama. He played for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart before joining Liverpool in 2023.
Virgil van Dijk handed Endo the captain's armband as the latter replaced the Dutchman in the second half.
'I think it was a great gesture. I think all Japanese people maybe wanted me to be captain,' Endo added.
Liverpool begin their Premier League title defence with a home game against Bournemouth on Aug 15.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park is a lifestyle destination for all ages
It was a balmy July night in Hong Kong, and as the final whistle blew at the brand-new Kai Tak Stadium, that's when the real magic happened. Few will remember the scoreline – AC Milan's 4-2 win over Liverpool, or even that the match marked the 20th anniversary of 'Istanbul' – but what stayed with everyone were the scenes after the match: hundreds of Liverpool fans spilling into the night, making their way to the nearby MTR stations, singing loudly and joyfully. They belted out a glorious 'Fields of Anfield Road' – sung in Asian accents – and honoured the late Diogo Jota with emotional chants that echoed through the canopied city streets. Win or lose, it's moments like these that show how football's shared spirit makes things truly unforgettable. Nearly 50,000 fans packed the Kai Tak Stadium, and unsurprisingly, most were decked out in Liverpool red. But over in the South Stand, AC Milan fans held their ground, staying behind after the final whistle, hoping to catch a glimpse of their Portuguese star, Rafael Leao. It wasn't just a holiday and beer friendly, it was one of those evenings when football truly became a shared language. Liverpool fans from China swapped selfies with AC Milan supporters from Indonesia, and you couldn't help but marvel at how far these fanbases stretch – and how a single match can bring them all together. Last month's Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 turned out to be one of the feel-good highlights of the pre-season calendar. With the big Liverpool vs AC Milan clash and the first-ever North London derby played outside England, the excitement went beyond the matches – it also put the new Kai Tak Sports Park project in the global spotlight, generating priceless word of mouth you can't buy with a tourist brochure. Tickets sold out weeks ahead, and by the time the festival kicked off, it had become one of the summer's most talked-about football events. 'I didn't know what to expect from Hong Kong. We just planned to watch Liverpool in Asia, and it was eye-opening to see the Mighty Reds family here,' says Maggie Watson, who travelled with two friends from their hometown in Wirral, near Liverpool. 'The game – before and after – had such a friendly vibe, with Liverpool and AC Milan fans from all over the world enjoying the charm of Hong Kong.' If you're inside the stadium, check out the South Stand inspired by the iconic '18-and-over' section at Hong Kong Stadium. At the top, an event platform framed by a panoramic glass wall offers stunning views of Victoria Harbour. — AFP Away from the bustle Just five months after opening, Kai Tak Sports Park – a 28ha area rising from what was once the north apron of the legendary Kai Tak Airport (closed in 1998) – has burst onto Hong Kong's cultural and sporting scene. This southern part of the Kowloon peninsula has morphed into an Insta-worthy lifestyle destination with several new landmarks. At its heart stands the striking Kai Tak Stadium, which made headlines in April when Coldplay played four sold-out nights, setting the stage for world-class concerts to come. Whether you're a music lover, sports fan, or curious traveller, this bold new landmark is fast becoming a must-see destination in Hong Kong. Can you weatherproof your main reason to visit? Absolutely. For football fans struggling with the Hong Kong summer heat, Kai Tak Stadium was a welcome escape with its covered roof and cool air-conditioning. At the Liverpool vs AC Milan match, no one really had to break a sweat – the stadium felt comfortable throughout. A tribute to the late Liverpool player Jota and his brother Andre Silva was shown before the exhibition match between the Premier League champions and AC Milan at new Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on July 26. – AFP A big highlight was The Champion Bar, stretching 100m and quickly becoming the main gathering spot, complete with design touches inspired by the old Kai Tak Airport. It might sound odd to rave about a new stadium, but Kai Tak Stadium truly deserves the praise – especially from sports tourists who've had forgettable experiences at other big stadiums in Asia. Conveniently located near the Kai Tak and Sung Wong Toi MTR stations, it's easy to get to, making the whole match-day experience far more enjoyable for visitors. 'I was really impressed – the new stadium looked great. I sat high up in the HK$1,999 (RM1,089) seats with an excellent view. I loved the vibe from Hong Kong's Liverpool fans and seeing everyone hanging out before the match. 'It was a hot day, but the walk from the hotel to the stadium was actually quite pleasant, and the crowd control afterwards was superb,' says Hakim Amir, a Liverpool fan from Kuala Lumpur, who took a casual 20-minute stroll to get to the stadium. Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish laid a wreath on the pitch in tribute to Diogo Jota before the match and also opened the Liverpool megastore in Kai Tak Mall. — Reuters For those looking to stay close by, the Dorsett Kai Tak hotel sits right next to the stadium. These days, with more Malaysians travelling abroad for concerts and sports events, Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park quietly adds another option to consider. Beyond matches and gigs, there's the Kai Tak Mall spanning three buildings, dining spots with views of Victoria Harbour, and modern lifestyle touches – like family parks and jogging paths – all set a little apart from the city's busier tourist areas, making it an appealing stop for solo travellers and family trips alike. Just a heads-up: K-pop superstars Blackpink sold out both its blockbuster tour-closing shows at Kai Tak Stadium next January in only 90 minutes – so you'll need to be quick to get in on the action. If you need to cool off, there's no shortage of rooftop bars around the Kai Tak Stadium area. – Hong Kong Tourism Board
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Rugby-Mo'unga signs New Zealand Rugby deal, eligible for All Blacks in 2026
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Semi Final - Argentina v New Zealand - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 20, 2023 New Zealand's Richie Mo'unga in action REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo (Reuters) -Flyhalf Richie Mo'unga will return to New Zealand rugby next season and be eligible to play for the All Blacks from October, 2026, as part of an 18-month contract announced on Thursday. The deal will see the Japan-based playmaker rejoin Canterbury for the 2026 National Provincial Championship and the Crusaders from the 2027 Super Rugby season. "We're really pleased to have Richie re-committing to New Zealand Rugby," Chief Executive Mark Robinson said in a statement. "He's a proven talent with a strong track record of performing on the biggest stages." Mo'unga, capped 56 times for the All Blacks and a winner of seven championship trophies at the Crusaders, has been ineligible to play for New Zealand since leaving for Japan after the 2023 World Cup in France. New Zealand Rugby restricts test selection to home-based players to try to protect its domestic competitions from talent drain. His former coach at the Crusaders, Scott Robertson, is now the All Blacks coach and has been vocal about wanting Mo'unga home and pushing for selection. Mo'unga helped Brave Lupus Tokyo seal back-to-back Japan Rugby League One titles in June while playing with a fractured hand. "He has this gift of bringing out the best in those around him and we can't wait to have him back in 2027," Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge said. Mo'unga's return to New Zealand a year before the 2027 World Cup in Australia will be welcomed by home fans and give Robertson another option for the coveted number 10 jersey. In Mo'unga's absence, Beauden Barrett has been Robertson's starting flyhalf in most recent tests, with Damien McKenzie the back-up playmaker. (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
‘You have to earn the right to train with us': Newcastle freeze out Swedish striker Isak as transfer saga heats up
LONDON, Aug 7 — Alexander Isak's future at Newcastle hangs in the balance after the Swedish striker was reportedly told to train apart from the rest of the squad on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has been linked with a British transfer record move to Liverpool after failing to feature in Newcastle's pre-season preparations. Isak missed the Magpies' trip to Singapore and South Korea, citing a minor thigh injury, and instead flew to Spain to train at former club Real Sociedad. He has since returned to Tyneside but Sky Sports reported that Isak was instructed to train after the rest of the squad had departed on Wednesday. 'You have to earn the right to train with us. We are Newcastle United,' Howe told reporters earlier in pre-season. 'We will make sure that any player earns the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal.' Liverpool have seen a £110 million (US$146 million) bid for Isak rejected, according to reports, with Newcastle seeking closer to £150 million. Another major hurdle to any deal is Newcastle's ongoing struggles to finalise a deal to replace Isak. They face competition from Manchester United for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko after missing out on Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Liam Delap earlier in the window. Liverpool have already splashed out over £250 million this window on Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. However, they have also recouped major funds from the sales of Luis Diaz, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tyler Morton. And Darwin Nunez is close to a £46 million move to Saudi side Al Hilal that would free up more resources and space in the squad for another bid to sign Isak. Since joining Newcastle for £63 million in 2022, Isak has scored 62 times in 109 appearances, including the goal that secured the club's first domestic trophy for 70 years in the League Cup final against Liverpool in March. — AFP
