Latest news with #EAFF
Japan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Japan Football Association planning to join Asia bid for 2046 World Cup
The Japan Football Association is planning to join a bid to host the 2046 FIFA World Cup. If the bid is successful, Japan would host World Cup matches for the first time since the country co-hosted the World Cup with South Korea in 2002. The JFA aims to be part of a joint bid by the East Asian Football Federation, to which the Japanese association belongs, and the ASEAN Football Federation. In March, the two federations agreed to consider hosting a World Cup together. Japan, South Korea and China, as well as Indonesia and Australia, which have abandoned their own plans for co-hosting the 2034 World Cup, have voiced interest in staging matches for the 2046 event. The JFA hopes to host its second World Cup by 2050. The federation also has a goal of winning the tournament for the first time. A World Cup hosted by one country has become increasingly unrealistic due to the event expanding to feature more participants. The 2026 event will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, while the 2030 tournament will be held in Europe, Africa and South America. The hosting of the massive sporting event is typically rotated between continents, based on FIFA policy. As Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, a JFA official said that the 2046 event "is the most realistic option" for submitting a bid.
Korea Herald
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
S. Korea lose to Japan to fall short of East Asian football title at home
South Korea came up short of winning their sixth East Asian men's football title at home Tuesday after losing to Japan 1-0 in the finale. Ryo Germain scored the match's lone goal in the eighth minute of the teams' final contest at the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, some 40 kilometers south of Seoul. Japan, world No. 17, won the four-nation tournament with nine points, having earlier beaten Hong Kong 6-1 and China 2-0. South Korea, who defeated China 3-0 and Hong Kong 2-0, finished as the runners-up with six points in front of 18,418 fans. This was the 10th edition of the top EAFF tournament and Japan have now won three titles, two behind South Korea. This was a must-win match for 23rd-ranked South Korea, while Japan, with a two-goal edge over South Korea in goal difference entering Tuesday, only needed a draw for their second consecutive EAFF title. South Korea now have 42 wins, 23 draws and 17 losses against Japan, and have dropped three straight matches against Japan for the first time. Japan have outscored South Korea 7-0 in those three wins. After giving a dozen players their first international caps over the two earlier matches, South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo went with a more experienced group to start this match, with midfielder Seo Min-woo being the only one with fewer than five caps entering Tuesday. Japan opened the scoring in the eighth minute with Germain's goal, about a minute after Na Sang-ho hit the right post on a counterattack opportunity for South Korea. Yuki Soma sent a cross into the crowded box from the left side, and defender Lee Tae-seok failed to keep Germain in check, as the forward volleyed the ball home with his left foot. It was Germain's tournament-leading fifth goal. Japan took advantage of some sloppy plays by South Korea in the defensive zone to keep generating chances, though they lacked the finishing touch in the box. Aside from Na's near-goal, South Korea didn't threaten to score the rest of the first half. South Korea applied some pressure in the early moments of the second half but still couldn't break through. Hong made several offensive-minded substitutions midway through the second half, and one of the reserves, forward Lee Ho-jae, had the team's best opportunity in the 84th minute. After fellow substitute Oh Se-hun headed down a long pass, Lee fired an acrobatic, flying volley from close range. But goalkeeper Keisuke Osako was up to the task, making a diving save to keep Japan ahead. Lee then missed the net wide left with a header just before the final whistle blew. (Yonhap)
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
EAFF E-1 Men Preview: South Korea vs. Japan Title Decider
The 2025 men's EAFF E-1 Football Championship will be decided on Tuesday when South Korea take on Japan. The Taeguk Warriors are looking to reclaim the title they lost to Japan in 2022 and extend their record to six overall, while the Samurai Blue are looking to make it back-to-back titles for the first time. Advertisement (Photo by) Overview & Match Information Fixture: South Korea vs. Japan Competition: EAFF E-1 Football Championship Matchday 3 Venue: Yongin Mireu Stadium, Yongin Date: Tuesday 15th July, 7:24 PM KST It's the big one, the 'Han-Il Jeon,' South Korea versus Japan, two rivals locking horns in a competitive match for the first time since the 2022 competition decider. Korea, as the host nation, will be under a bit of pressure to beat Japan, but with something of a psychological advantage after the resounding 3-0 win in 2022, not to mention convincing performances in their first two matches. Advertisement EAFF E-1 Form South Korea are yet to concede a goal, having kept clean sheets against both China and Hong Kong. The 3-0 victory over China to start the competition was then followed up by a 2-0 win over Hong Kong with a heavily rotated starting XI. Hong Kong 0-2 South Korea Highlights Japan are the tournament's top scorers, having hit Hong Kong for six in the first game thanks in part to four goals in the first half from Ryo Germain. The 6-1 triumph was followed up by a routine win over China, thanks to goals from Mao Hoseyo and Henry Heroki Mochizuki. Japan 2-0 China Highlights Head-to-Head Japan have won the last two meetings, both by the same 3-0 scoreline. The most recent was the 2022 EAFF E-1 title decider with Yuki Soma, Sho Sasaki, and Shuto Machino on target. Before that, in March 2021, Japan ran out 3-0 in a friendly thanks to goals from Miki Yamane, Daichi Kamada, and Wataru Endo. Before that, Korea had remained unbeaten in three against Japan with back-to-back wins in the 2017 and 2019 EAFF competitions. Advertisement In EAFF action, there have been 15 total encounters with Japan earning six wins, Korea four, and five draws. Overall, from 71 meetings, Korea have 36 wins, Japan have 17, with 18 draws. South Korea in Focus with Seo Bo-won How have Korea's performances been in the first two games? First of all, Coach Hong Myung-bo utilized a back-three formation, likely with strong opponents at the World Cup in mind. However, since he adopted a more defensive back-three against China in the first match and a more attacking version against Hong Kong in the second, this could indicate a focus on tactical flexibility. Of course, simply using wingers as wing-backs doesn't necessarily equate to being 'flexible,' but at the very least, it shows an effort to address the lack of a Plan B, which the national team struggled with during the third round of World Cup qualifiers. That said, it's a bit concerning that against Hong Kong, players seemed to focus on personal showcases rather than team play. They clearly see this tournament as their last chance to make the final World Cup squad and are playing with urgency, but at times their style appears a bit selfish. Still, the two clean-sheet wins are a satisfactory result. Advertisement Japan next in a big game that will decide the tournament, what are you expecting to see from Hong Myung-bo tactically? While Japan seems to be treating this tournament as a true 'testing ground,' Korea has taken a less experimental approach in terms of squad selection and match management. This makes it harder to predict what tactics Japan might bring, but regardless, Korea needs a proactive approach that doesn't shrink in the face of pressure. I believe this is the best way to truly assess the gap in quality between the two teams. If Coach Hong shares this view, we're likely to see a match with intense physical duels and fast-paced passing to draw out that contrast. Given the hot and humid conditions, I expect both teams will try to decide the game in the first half, and experiment with new options in the second half when the tempo drops. Korea lost 3-0 to Japan in the last EAFF. What went wrong in that game, and what do Korea need to do this time? In the last edition of this tournament, Paulo Bento's Korean team couldn't even approach Japan's penalty area. That's how good Hajime Moriyasu's Japan was in terms of ball possession, compactness, and especially their rapid ball progression. Rather than blaming Bento's tactics, I'd say Japan simply played extremely well. In this tournament, too, they've maintained that same tactical identity. The midfielders and wingers combine smoothly to create space, and they've had no problem breaking down deep-lying defensive teams like Hong Kong. What's more, Moriyasu's side now has continuity—and that's where I see the real difference in quality. Advertisement Who will be Korea's key players against Japan? That's quite a tough question… But I would say Lee Dong-gyeong is the most likely key player. Whether or not he can get enough touches on the ball could determine the direction of the match. In fact, for Lee Dong-gyeong to get those touches, Kim Jin-gyu needs to establish a strong presence in midfield. Both players will play crucial roles against Japan. If Lee Dong-gyeong can get the ball in the final third, I believe we might even be able to take the initiative in the match. He has become a more creative player and currently looks to have the sharpest shooting instincts. - Korean football journalistSeo Bo-won The Opposition with Sean Carroll (Photo by) What have you thought of Japan's performances so far? I think they've been steady but unspectacular. With a lot of uncapped players (and, in Yuto Nagatomo, one who just made his first appearance for 950 days) and having started with two totally different XIs in their two games, that's perhaps to be expected, though. Overall, they've still managed to control both games, but the Korea game will be the real test. Advertisement Who have been their most important players? That's a tricky one on account of the rotation. Yuki Soma has looked a level above on his third straight appearance in the competition, Satoshi Tanaka impressed in central midfield against China, and both Ryo Germain and Mao Hosoya have shown they can finish up front. Who will be key for Japan to get the win? It sounds obvious, but I think the centre backs and strikers. I expect it to be a game of few chances, so there's no room for errors at the back or profligacy in front of goal. They will have the psychological advantage over Korea after the last meeting. Could this lead to complacency? How seriously are Japan taking this competition, and generally, how seriously does the JFA take it? I'm not sure the last game really factors into it, as the squads are so different. Moriyasu takes every game seriously and will be demanding the same of his players, and while overseas players obviously can't be called up, I get the impression the JFA see this tournament as a useful exercise to run the rule over players not ordinarily afforded the opportunity to play for their country. Advertisement It depends who starts to an extent (Keisuke Osako looks certain to be in goal for instance, so if his Sanfrecce Hiroshima teammate Hayato Araki is in the back three, that will negate the issue a little), but the fact that there is no existing partnership at centre back means Korea could cause problems there. - Japanese football expert & journalist Sean Carroll What to Watch With Japan's superior goal difference (7-5), Korea will have to win to secure the title; a draw won't do and would mean Japan make it back-to-back titles for the first time. This means Korea will have to attack and will have to pick their moments. Japan's quick passing and deadliness in transitions could prove fatal if Korea go in all guns blazing and leave themselves exposed. Central midfield selection will be key, players who can go box-to-box while in attack, Korea will have to be clinical. Joo Min-kyu might just be the man for Hong Myung-bo looks to to lead the line, as he did against China.
Korea Herald
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
S. Korea lose to Japan to fall short of E. Asian football title at home
South Korea came up short of winning their sixth East Asian men's football title at home Tuesday after losing to Japan 1-0 in the finale. Ryo Germain scored the match's lone goal in the eighth minute of the teams' final contest at the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, some 40 kilometers south of Seoul. Japan, world No. 17, won the four-nation tournament with nine points, having earlier beaten Hong Kong 6-1 and China 2-0. South Korea, who defeated China 3-0 and Hong Kong 2-0, finished as the runners-up with six points in front of 18,418 fans. This was the 10th edition of the top EAFF tournament and Japan have now won three titles, two behind South Korea. This was a must-win match for 23rd-ranked South Korea, while Japan, with a two-goal edge over South Korea in goal difference entering Tuesday, only needed a draw for their second consecutive EAFF title. South Korea now have 42 wins, 23 draws and 17 losses against Japan, and have dropped three straight matches against Japan for the first time. Japan have outscored South Korea 7-0 in those three wins. After giving a dozen players their first international caps over the two earlier matches, South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo went with a more experienced group to start this match, with midfielder Seo Min-woo being the only one with fewer than five caps entering Tuesday. Japan opened the scoring in the eighth minute with Germain's goal, about a minute after Na Sang-ho hit the right post on a counterattack opportunity for South Korea. Yuki Soma sent a cross into the crowded box from the left side, and defender Lee Tae-seok failed to keep Germain in check, as the forward volleyed the ball home with his left foot. It was Germain's tournament-leading fifth goal. Japan took advantage of some sloppy plays by South Korea in the defensive zone to keep generating chances, though they lacked the finishing touch in the box. Aside from Na's near-goal, South Korea didn't threaten to score the rest of the first half. South Korea applied some pressure in the early moments of the second half but still couldn't break through. Hong made several offensive-minded substitutions midway through the second half, and one of the reserves, forward Lee Ho-jae, had the team's best opportunity in the 84th minute. After fellow substitute Oh Se-hun headed down a long pass, Lee fired an acrobatic, flying volley from close range. But goalkeeper Keisuke Osako was up to the task, making a diving save to keep Japan ahead. Lee then missed the net wide left with a header just before the final whistle blew. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
S. Korea coach tells players to relish rival match vs. Japan at E. Asian football tournament
On the eve of a high-stakes rival match against Japan at the ongoing regional football tournament, South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo said Monday his players should try to enjoy the experience. South Korea, world No. 23, and Japan, ranked 17th, will square off in the final match of the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship at 7:24 p.m. Tuesday at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, some 40 kilometers south of Seoul. Both teams won their first two matches of the tournament to collect six points, and Japan have the edge in goal difference, +7 to +5. Japan only need a draw against South Korea to win their second consecutive EAFF title. It is a must-win match for South Korea, who are chasing their sixth EAFF crown. South Korea have had 42 wins, 23 draws and 16 losses against Japan, but have lost each of the past two meetings by the same score of 3-0. Given the stakes and the history of the sporting rivalry between the two countries, the intensity level will likely be several notches higher than what South Korea experienced against China and Hong Kong. "Obviously, it's a crucial match and we want to win it," Hong told reporters before a training session at Seongnam Stadium in Seongnam, just south of Seoul. "I am confident our players will play a good match." Hong, no stranger to the heated rivalry from his playing days, also said his players shouldn't be stressing too much over the match. "In the past, the prevailing approach (to matches against Japan) was that we could not afford to lose. I was no different," he said, "But at some point, I realize just beating Japan isn't everything. Of course, our players must compete with a sense of pride in representing the country, but I also hope that they won't lose sight of important tactics or other aspects of the game. I hope they will enjoy the experience." Hong observed that the two teams play under similar sets of tactics. "They said Japan may be more detail oriented, but I believe we will have a chance to execute our plans and have a chance to score," the coach said. "We will have to be sharp on our defense and be prepared to make adjustments in the second half." With stars based in Europe and the Middle East not available here, Hong has put together a team of 23 players in the domestic K League 1 and three players in Japan's J1 League. They've been trying to make their case for inclusion on the squad for next year's FIFA World Cup. Hong said he has enjoyed working with the current group of players. "Having trained with these players for about 10 days has taught me a great deal," he said. "It may be premature to talk about what will happen a year from now, but a few players here have been incredible at this tournament. I don't know where they're going to be a year from now but I was able to see their potential to represent the country at the World Cup. I've had a great time with them." Jo Hyeon-woo, captain and first-choice goalkeeper for South Korea, said the players believe in themselves just as much as the coach believes in them. "We are confident that we can win the match if we can execute the way the coach wants us to," Jo said. "I will try to keep Japan off the board and help us finish this tournament on a winning note." Jo said the coach won't have to worry about his players feeling added pressure just because they will play Japan. "The mood in the team hasn't changed. If anything, we've grown more confident as the tournament has gone on," Jo said. "We've adjusted well to some tactical changes and I know we will take the field feeling pretty good tomorrow."
