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Tokyo Weekender
4 days ago
- Tokyo Weekender
The Most Beautiful Japanese Gardens Beyond Kyoto
As Japan's cultural capital, Kyoto is synonymous with some of the country's most stunning traditional gardens. However, to limit your exploration of Japanese garden artistry to Kyoto would be to overlook a wealth of serene beauty and naturalistic harmony across lesser known prefectures. In fact, none of the 'Three Great Gardens of Japan' are in Kyoto. Read on to discover the most beautiful Japanese gardens and what makes them special. List of Contents: Three Great Gardens of Japan Beautiful Japanese Gardens in Tokyo Traditional Gardens To Visit Across Japan Related Posts Three Great Gardens of Japan Japan's 'Three Great Gardens' refers to Kenrokuen, Korakuen and Kairakuen, each with distinctly beautiful features and landscapes. All three were created by daimyo (feudal lords) during the Edo period, and feature the era's emblematic kaiyu (circuit) style design. The gardens are based around a central pond and meant for strolling, in comparison to zakanshiki gardens meant to be admired from indoor spaces. Kenrokuen Located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Kenrokuen was originally developed as the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle by the Maeda clan, who worked on it over hundreds of years. The landscape is celebrated for its adherence to the six essential attributes of a perfect garden: spaciousness, serenity, man-made elements, antiquity, abundant water and panoramic views. Hence, Kenrokuen means 'garden that combines six characteristics.' Visitors can wander through a meticulously crafted landscape featuring large ponds, meandering streams, diverse trees and flowering plants that offer seasonal beauty. There are also charming teahouses and iconic elements like the Kotoji stone lantern and the Flying Geese Bridge. Kenrokuen is accessible by bus from Kanazawa Station. Korakuen Located in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, Korakuen was constructed by the Ikeda family of Okayama Domain roughly 300 years ago. It initially served as a place for the daimyo to entertain important guests. The garden's layout emphasizes borrowed scenery, a key aesthetic concept that incorporates elements external to the garden — both natural and manmade — to its design. Okayama Castle and its surrounding hills become one with Korakuen's contours and textures in seamless harmony. A central pond with small islands, artificial hills, a tea plantation and even a rice field are all interconnected by walking paths that boast picturesque vistas at every turn. The Enyo-tei tea house offers a particularly beautiful and calm view of the garden. Kairakuen The third of Japan's Three Great Gardens is Kairakuen in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Kairakuen was established in 1842 by Tokugawa Nariaki, the ninth lord of the Mito domain. Its name translates to 'park to be enjoyed together,' which reflects its unique original purpose of being open to the public, not just nobility. While the garden is beautiful year-round, with a bamboo grove, cedar woods and seasonal flowers, it is most well-known for its spectacular plum blossoms in early spring. Home to approximately 3,000 plum trees of around 100 varieties, Kairakuen transforms into a vibrant display of white, pink and red from late February through March, and its Mito Plum Blossom Festival attracts visitors from far and wide. The garden also features the Kobuntei, a traditional Japanese-style historic residence offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Beautiful Japanese Gardens in Tokyo Among the most popular gardens to visit in Tokyo are the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and Shinjuku Gyoen. But there are far more spaces to explore — read on for some lesser-known, but equally enchanting Japanese gardens in Tokyo. Rikugien One of Tokyo's most beautiful traditional Japanese gardens, Rikugien exemplifies the tranquility of Edo period landscaping. It was designated as an important cultural asset and a site of exceptional beauty by the city of Tokyo in 1953. Compared to some of Tokyo's larger and well-trodden parks, the space retains an intimate and peaceful atmosphere. Depending on the month, the garden highlights the season's charming flora and fauna. Rikugien is known in particular for its weeping cherry tree, which typically blossoms in late March. There's also a Meiji-era teahouse, Tsutsuji-no-Chaya, which is surrounded by fiery red maples in the fall. Togetsukyo, a stone bridge named after a famous waka poem, is another unmissable sight. Hama-rikyu Gardens If you're visiting the Tsukiji Fish Market, we highly recommend stopping by this sprawling landscaped garden. Hama-rikyu Gardens, which stands in serene contrast to the towering skyscrapers of the adjacent Shiodome district, was originally a villa and duck hunting grounds for the shogun during the Edo period. It opened to the public in 1946. The garden's most distinctive feature is its large, central seawater pond, Shioiri-no-ike, which draws water directly from Tokyo Bay. Visitors can enjoy a cup of matcha tea and traditional sweets at the Nakajima Tea House, which seemingly floats on the pond. The garden is also home to a magnificent 300-year-old black pine tree and seasonal flower fields, including plum blossoms, canola flowers and cosmos. Kiyosumi Gardens Located near the trendy, cafe-laden neighborhood of Kiyosumi Shirakawa, Kiyosumi Gardens showcases a glistening pond surrounded by lush greenery and distinctive rocks, referred to as meiseki. Designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the garden is known for its Japanese black pine trees and hydrangeas in the summer. In the winter, you will see peonies and camellias. Much like Rikugien, the space sees fewer tourists than more well-known parks, making it a good choice for those who want a private yet scenic setting. Traditional Gardens To Visit Across Japan For those traveling in prefectures beyond Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, we highly recommend stopping by these stunning, treasured gardens. Adachi Museum Gardens The Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi city, Shimane Prefecture, is renowned for its harmonious integration of art and nature. Founded in 1970 by local businessman Zenko Adachi, the museum houses a significant collection of modern Japanese paintings, including over 120 works by the prominent artist Yokoyama Taikan, alongside ceramics, wood carvings and other Japanese artworks. Arguably its most celebrated feature is its vast and meticulously maintained Japanese gardens. Spread over 165,000 square meters, it has various sub-gardens, including the Dry Landscape Garden, Moss Garden, Pond Garden and White Gravel and Pine Garden. When viewed from the museum, the landscape creates 'living framed paintings' and 'living hanging scrolls' through strategically placed windows that blend seasonal scenery with the interior art displays. Suizenji Garden Suizenji Garden is an enchanting strolling garden located in Kumamoto City. Built in the 17th century by the Hosokawa clan, the ruling lords of Kumamoto, it's designed to evoke the 53 post stations of the historic Tokaido Road that once connected Edo (present-day Tokyo) with Kyoto, complete with a miniature Mount Fuji and other iconic landscapes. The garden's central pond is fed by natural springs from Mount Aso, known for their exceptionally clear water, which adds to the garden's tranquility. Stroll along the circular path while gazing at the meticulously maintained miniature landscapes, including a picturesque arched bridge. A charming teahouse, the Kokindenju-no-ma, lets visitors savor matcha and traditional sweets while overlooking the garden. Izumi Shrine, located within the garden and dedicated to the Hosokawa clan, is another key site to admire. Banryu-tei Garden at Kongobu-ji The Banryu-tei Garden — 'Garden of the Guardian Dragons' — at Kongobu-ji Temple is situated in Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture, a sacred and secluded monastic complex. It is known as Japan's largest karesansui (dry rock garden), and was completed in 1984. Its design features 140 granite stones, arranged within a bed of immaculately raked white gravel, depicting a pair of dragons emerging from a swirling sea of clouds — symbolizing their protection of the temple. The temple complex was founded in 816 by Kobo Daishi, who established Kongobu-ji as a headquarter of the Shingon sect of esoteric Buddhism after studying in China. At the entrance, you can spot the paulownia flower insignia, the crest of the Toyotomi clan. The story goes that a monk named Ogo (also known as Mokujiki Shonin) prevented Toyotomi Hideyoshi from attacking and destroying Koyasan in the late 16th century, instead inspiring him to build what was then known as Seiganji Temple in memory of his late mother. Kitabatake Samurai Gardens The Kitabatake Samurai Gardens, located within the grounds of Kitabatake Shrine in Tsu city, Mie Prefecture, are a rare and historically significant example of a warrior-class garden. Designated a national scenic spot and historical landmark, this ornamental garden is believed to have been designed by the warrior Hosokawa Takakuni around 1528-1531, and showcases the refined aesthetics of the Kitabatake clan, a powerful noble family with imperial ties. Despite a violent past — the site of a massacre that led to the clan's downfall at the hands of Oda Nobunaga's son — the gardens today offer a calm and contemplative atmosphere, featuring intricate stone arrangements, a complex pond shape, small bridges and ancient stone lanterns, designed to be appreciated in all four seasons. The spot is particularly lovely surrounded by vibrant spring greenery or autumnal foliage. Sankeien Garden Sankeien Garden is a sprawling traditional garden in Yokohama that originally was the private residence of wealthy silk merchant Tomitaro Hara (known as Sankei Hara). It opened to the public in 1906. Spanning approximately 175,000 square meters (45 acres), it's distinguished not only by its meticulously designed ponds, streams and walking paths, but also by its remarkable collection of 17 historic buildings. Many of these are Important Cultural Properties relocated from various parts of Japan, including Kyoto and Kamakura. Sankeien thoughtfully integrates elements such as a three-story pagoda, tea houses, residential houses and a temple hall into the landscape and foliage, creating a harmonious scene that transforms with each season. If you are visiting Yokohama for the day, the garden serves as a wonderful place to unwind and connect with nature. It's especially famed for its breathtaking fall foliage, which shrouds the garden in a fiery haze and blankets its paths with golden carpets. Related Posts 8 of the Most Beautiful Parks & Gardens in Tokyo The Most Beautiful Libraries in Japan Best Places To Visit in Kyushu: Nature, Cities and Hidden Gems
Business Insider
20-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
MeridianLink (MLNK) Receives a Sell from Bank of America Securities
In a report released on July 18, Koji Ikeda from Bank of America Securities maintained a Sell rating on MeridianLink, with a price target of $17.00. The company's shares closed last Friday at $16.21. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. According to TipRanks, Ikeda is a 5-star analyst with an average return of 12.6% and a 59.05% success rate. Ikeda covers the Technology sector, focusing on stocks such as Datadog, nCino, and Gitlab. MeridianLink has an analyst consensus of Hold, with a price target consensus of $17.00.
Business Insider
19-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Bank of America Securities Sticks to Their Buy Rating for Gitlab (GTLB)
In a report released today, Koji Ikeda from Bank of America Securities reiterated a Buy rating on Gitlab, with a price target of $72.00. The company's shares opened today at $44.22. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. According to TipRanks, Ikeda is a 5-star analyst with an average return of 12.5% and a 58.54% success rate. Ikeda covers the Technology sector, focusing on stocks such as Datadog, Gitlab, and nCino. Gitlab has an analyst consensus of Strong Buy, with a price target consensus of $61.48, which is a 39.03% upside from current levels. In a report released on July 15, Rosenblatt Securities also initiated coverage with a Buy rating on the stock with a $58.00 price target. Based on Gitlab's latest earnings release for the quarter ending April 30, the company reported a quarterly revenue of $214.51 million and a GAAP net loss of $35.88 million. In comparison, last year the company earned a revenue of $169.19 million and had a GAAP net loss of $54.64 million Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 76 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is negative on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders selling their shares of GTLB in relation to earlier this year. Last month, Matthew Jacobson, a Director at GTLB sold 129,400.00 shares for a total of $5,476,208.00.
The Advertiser
18-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Star appeals eight-match ban after send-off; leaders see red in first loss
Valentine Phoenix have appealed the eight-match suspension handed to key defender Hiroumi Ikeda. Ikeda was red-carded in the 52nd minute of Valentine's crucial 2-1 win over last-placed New Lambton at Croudace Bay last Sunday for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. The incident occurred in Phoenix's 18-yard box and New Lambton were awarded a penalty. Ikeda was also charged with breaching regulation eight - an offence against a match official - and subsequently banned for eight matches. Valentine Football Club secretary Rob Lavell said both charges were being appealed. "We were surprised to get an infringement notice with such a severe penalty in it," Lavell said. The appeal was being heard by Northern NSW Football's Obvious Error Panel on Thursday night. Last year, Northern NSW Football introduced a tough new Zero Tolerance policy to stamp out match official abuse with hefty new sanctions introduced. Valentine are ninth on 16 points with four games to play, two points behind Cooks Hill (18) and just above Belmont-Swansea (15) and Adamstown (14). Meanwhile, Weston could be left counting the cost of an important 2-1 win over previously unbeaten NPL Northern NSW leaders Edgeworth at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Wednesday night. Goalkeeper George Stephens was forced from the field in the 65th minute following a head knock as he dove on a loose ball in his penalty area. Attacking player Musa Kamara was then substituted in stoppage time after appearing to be hit in the upper chest by Jackson Brady's swinging arm in what Weston coach Kew Jaliens described as "a reckless challenge". Brady was subsequently red-carded for violent conduct and could be set to miss a couple of games through suspension. "Musa is under review and needs scans, George is in hospital and is under review as well," Jaliens told the Newcastle Herald on Thursday. Both are in doubt for Weston's home game against Adamstown on Saturday. The Eagles were unbeaten in 17 NPL outings this season before succumbing to the Bears. Chris Hatfield gave Weston a 1-0 lead with a close-range volley in the 50th minute then Brock Beveridge doubled down in similar fashion in the 68th minute. Flynn Goodman struck back for Edgeworth in the 87th minute. The result left the Eagles and Broadmeadow, who beat eighth-placed Cooks Hill 2-0 at No.2 Sportsground on Wednesday night, level on 47 points with four games each to play. The Bears are third on 34 points with two games in hand over the two sides above them. "For us, it was a necessary win," Jaliens said. "We played a good game against Magic [on Saturday] but couldn't convert it into goals. "We came out wanting to play a good game, and it was a reflection of that on the scoreboard." Weston, who are headed to Melbourne next week to play Hiedelberg United in the Australia Cup round of 32, are facing nine games in four weeks to close out the season. "We love the challenge, we take it one game at a time and try to give a good performance every time we play, and hope that a good game reflects a win on the scoreboard," Jaliens said of the tough task ahead. Edgeworth will quickly turn their focus to Newcastle Olympic on Sunday before a highly anticipated showdown with Broadmeadow one week later. "I thought the first half was a tight affair, but in the second half we sort of lost that midfield battle and we got caught on the transition," Edgeworth coach Peter McGuinness said. "Disappointed the unbeaten run has come to an end, but we'll move on and concentrate on the weekend." Cooks Hill, who are also in the Australian Cup's finals stage and are away to Adelaide Croatia next Wednesday night, also face a jam-packed end to their season. Magic secured their midweek win over Cooks Hill with an opening-minute goal to Jarred Baker and a 90th-minute effort from Cody Nancarrow. Maitland improved to 25 points and fourth place with a 3-1 victory over Belmont Swansea at Blacksmiths on Wednesday night. Daniel McFarlane (40th minute), Benjamin (Taye) Power-O'Toole (56th minute) and Braedyn Crowley (65th minute) all scored for the Magpies, who climbed ahead of Charlestown (24), Lambton (23) and Newcastle Olympic (22). Substitute Kane Woolston pulled one back for Belswans in the 86th minute. Crowley took his goal tally to 15 goals and is closing in on Edgeworth's Ryan Feutz, who scored 18 goals for the Eagles before leaving the club two weeks ago to join Sydney Olympic in NPL NSW. Valentine Phoenix have appealed the eight-match suspension handed to key defender Hiroumi Ikeda. Ikeda was red-carded in the 52nd minute of Valentine's crucial 2-1 win over last-placed New Lambton at Croudace Bay last Sunday for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. The incident occurred in Phoenix's 18-yard box and New Lambton were awarded a penalty. Ikeda was also charged with breaching regulation eight - an offence against a match official - and subsequently banned for eight matches. Valentine Football Club secretary Rob Lavell said both charges were being appealed. "We were surprised to get an infringement notice with such a severe penalty in it," Lavell said. The appeal was being heard by Northern NSW Football's Obvious Error Panel on Thursday night. Last year, Northern NSW Football introduced a tough new Zero Tolerance policy to stamp out match official abuse with hefty new sanctions introduced. Valentine are ninth on 16 points with four games to play, two points behind Cooks Hill (18) and just above Belmont-Swansea (15) and Adamstown (14). Meanwhile, Weston could be left counting the cost of an important 2-1 win over previously unbeaten NPL Northern NSW leaders Edgeworth at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Wednesday night. Goalkeeper George Stephens was forced from the field in the 65th minute following a head knock as he dove on a loose ball in his penalty area. Attacking player Musa Kamara was then substituted in stoppage time after appearing to be hit in the upper chest by Jackson Brady's swinging arm in what Weston coach Kew Jaliens described as "a reckless challenge". Brady was subsequently red-carded for violent conduct and could be set to miss a couple of games through suspension. "Musa is under review and needs scans, George is in hospital and is under review as well," Jaliens told the Newcastle Herald on Thursday. Both are in doubt for Weston's home game against Adamstown on Saturday. The Eagles were unbeaten in 17 NPL outings this season before succumbing to the Bears. Chris Hatfield gave Weston a 1-0 lead with a close-range volley in the 50th minute then Brock Beveridge doubled down in similar fashion in the 68th minute. Flynn Goodman struck back for Edgeworth in the 87th minute. The result left the Eagles and Broadmeadow, who beat eighth-placed Cooks Hill 2-0 at No.2 Sportsground on Wednesday night, level on 47 points with four games each to play. The Bears are third on 34 points with two games in hand over the two sides above them. "For us, it was a necessary win," Jaliens said. "We played a good game against Magic [on Saturday] but couldn't convert it into goals. "We came out wanting to play a good game, and it was a reflection of that on the scoreboard." Weston, who are headed to Melbourne next week to play Hiedelberg United in the Australia Cup round of 32, are facing nine games in four weeks to close out the season. "We love the challenge, we take it one game at a time and try to give a good performance every time we play, and hope that a good game reflects a win on the scoreboard," Jaliens said of the tough task ahead. Edgeworth will quickly turn their focus to Newcastle Olympic on Sunday before a highly anticipated showdown with Broadmeadow one week later. "I thought the first half was a tight affair, but in the second half we sort of lost that midfield battle and we got caught on the transition," Edgeworth coach Peter McGuinness said. "Disappointed the unbeaten run has come to an end, but we'll move on and concentrate on the weekend." Cooks Hill, who are also in the Australian Cup's finals stage and are away to Adelaide Croatia next Wednesday night, also face a jam-packed end to their season. Magic secured their midweek win over Cooks Hill with an opening-minute goal to Jarred Baker and a 90th-minute effort from Cody Nancarrow. Maitland improved to 25 points and fourth place with a 3-1 victory over Belmont Swansea at Blacksmiths on Wednesday night. Daniel McFarlane (40th minute), Benjamin (Taye) Power-O'Toole (56th minute) and Braedyn Crowley (65th minute) all scored for the Magpies, who climbed ahead of Charlestown (24), Lambton (23) and Newcastle Olympic (22). Substitute Kane Woolston pulled one back for Belswans in the 86th minute. Crowley took his goal tally to 15 goals and is closing in on Edgeworth's Ryan Feutz, who scored 18 goals for the Eagles before leaving the club two weeks ago to join Sydney Olympic in NPL NSW. Valentine Phoenix have appealed the eight-match suspension handed to key defender Hiroumi Ikeda. Ikeda was red-carded in the 52nd minute of Valentine's crucial 2-1 win over last-placed New Lambton at Croudace Bay last Sunday for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. The incident occurred in Phoenix's 18-yard box and New Lambton were awarded a penalty. Ikeda was also charged with breaching regulation eight - an offence against a match official - and subsequently banned for eight matches. Valentine Football Club secretary Rob Lavell said both charges were being appealed. "We were surprised to get an infringement notice with such a severe penalty in it," Lavell said. The appeal was being heard by Northern NSW Football's Obvious Error Panel on Thursday night. Last year, Northern NSW Football introduced a tough new Zero Tolerance policy to stamp out match official abuse with hefty new sanctions introduced. Valentine are ninth on 16 points with four games to play, two points behind Cooks Hill (18) and just above Belmont-Swansea (15) and Adamstown (14). Meanwhile, Weston could be left counting the cost of an important 2-1 win over previously unbeaten NPL Northern NSW leaders Edgeworth at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Wednesday night. Goalkeeper George Stephens was forced from the field in the 65th minute following a head knock as he dove on a loose ball in his penalty area. Attacking player Musa Kamara was then substituted in stoppage time after appearing to be hit in the upper chest by Jackson Brady's swinging arm in what Weston coach Kew Jaliens described as "a reckless challenge". Brady was subsequently red-carded for violent conduct and could be set to miss a couple of games through suspension. "Musa is under review and needs scans, George is in hospital and is under review as well," Jaliens told the Newcastle Herald on Thursday. Both are in doubt for Weston's home game against Adamstown on Saturday. The Eagles were unbeaten in 17 NPL outings this season before succumbing to the Bears. Chris Hatfield gave Weston a 1-0 lead with a close-range volley in the 50th minute then Brock Beveridge doubled down in similar fashion in the 68th minute. Flynn Goodman struck back for Edgeworth in the 87th minute. The result left the Eagles and Broadmeadow, who beat eighth-placed Cooks Hill 2-0 at No.2 Sportsground on Wednesday night, level on 47 points with four games each to play. The Bears are third on 34 points with two games in hand over the two sides above them. "For us, it was a necessary win," Jaliens said. "We played a good game against Magic [on Saturday] but couldn't convert it into goals. "We came out wanting to play a good game, and it was a reflection of that on the scoreboard." Weston, who are headed to Melbourne next week to play Hiedelberg United in the Australia Cup round of 32, are facing nine games in four weeks to close out the season. "We love the challenge, we take it one game at a time and try to give a good performance every time we play, and hope that a good game reflects a win on the scoreboard," Jaliens said of the tough task ahead. Edgeworth will quickly turn their focus to Newcastle Olympic on Sunday before a highly anticipated showdown with Broadmeadow one week later. "I thought the first half was a tight affair, but in the second half we sort of lost that midfield battle and we got caught on the transition," Edgeworth coach Peter McGuinness said. "Disappointed the unbeaten run has come to an end, but we'll move on and concentrate on the weekend." Cooks Hill, who are also in the Australian Cup's finals stage and are away to Adelaide Croatia next Wednesday night, also face a jam-packed end to their season. Magic secured their midweek win over Cooks Hill with an opening-minute goal to Jarred Baker and a 90th-minute effort from Cody Nancarrow. Maitland improved to 25 points and fourth place with a 3-1 victory over Belmont Swansea at Blacksmiths on Wednesday night. Daniel McFarlane (40th minute), Benjamin (Taye) Power-O'Toole (56th minute) and Braedyn Crowley (65th minute) all scored for the Magpies, who climbed ahead of Charlestown (24), Lambton (23) and Newcastle Olympic (22). Substitute Kane Woolston pulled one back for Belswans in the 86th minute. Crowley took his goal tally to 15 goals and is closing in on Edgeworth's Ryan Feutz, who scored 18 goals for the Eagles before leaving the club two weeks ago to join Sydney Olympic in NPL NSW. Valentine Phoenix have appealed the eight-match suspension handed to key defender Hiroumi Ikeda. Ikeda was red-carded in the 52nd minute of Valentine's crucial 2-1 win over last-placed New Lambton at Croudace Bay last Sunday for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. The incident occurred in Phoenix's 18-yard box and New Lambton were awarded a penalty. Ikeda was also charged with breaching regulation eight - an offence against a match official - and subsequently banned for eight matches. Valentine Football Club secretary Rob Lavell said both charges were being appealed. "We were surprised to get an infringement notice with such a severe penalty in it," Lavell said. The appeal was being heard by Northern NSW Football's Obvious Error Panel on Thursday night. Last year, Northern NSW Football introduced a tough new Zero Tolerance policy to stamp out match official abuse with hefty new sanctions introduced. Valentine are ninth on 16 points with four games to play, two points behind Cooks Hill (18) and just above Belmont-Swansea (15) and Adamstown (14). Meanwhile, Weston could be left counting the cost of an important 2-1 win over previously unbeaten NPL Northern NSW leaders Edgeworth at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Wednesday night. Goalkeeper George Stephens was forced from the field in the 65th minute following a head knock as he dove on a loose ball in his penalty area. Attacking player Musa Kamara was then substituted in stoppage time after appearing to be hit in the upper chest by Jackson Brady's swinging arm in what Weston coach Kew Jaliens described as "a reckless challenge". Brady was subsequently red-carded for violent conduct and could be set to miss a couple of games through suspension. "Musa is under review and needs scans, George is in hospital and is under review as well," Jaliens told the Newcastle Herald on Thursday. Both are in doubt for Weston's home game against Adamstown on Saturday. The Eagles were unbeaten in 17 NPL outings this season before succumbing to the Bears. Chris Hatfield gave Weston a 1-0 lead with a close-range volley in the 50th minute then Brock Beveridge doubled down in similar fashion in the 68th minute. Flynn Goodman struck back for Edgeworth in the 87th minute. The result left the Eagles and Broadmeadow, who beat eighth-placed Cooks Hill 2-0 at No.2 Sportsground on Wednesday night, level on 47 points with four games each to play. The Bears are third on 34 points with two games in hand over the two sides above them. "For us, it was a necessary win," Jaliens said. "We played a good game against Magic [on Saturday] but couldn't convert it into goals. "We came out wanting to play a good game, and it was a reflection of that on the scoreboard." Weston, who are headed to Melbourne next week to play Hiedelberg United in the Australia Cup round of 32, are facing nine games in four weeks to close out the season. "We love the challenge, we take it one game at a time and try to give a good performance every time we play, and hope that a good game reflects a win on the scoreboard," Jaliens said of the tough task ahead. Edgeworth will quickly turn their focus to Newcastle Olympic on Sunday before a highly anticipated showdown with Broadmeadow one week later. "I thought the first half was a tight affair, but in the second half we sort of lost that midfield battle and we got caught on the transition," Edgeworth coach Peter McGuinness said. "Disappointed the unbeaten run has come to an end, but we'll move on and concentrate on the weekend." Cooks Hill, who are also in the Australian Cup's finals stage and are away to Adelaide Croatia next Wednesday night, also face a jam-packed end to their season. Magic secured their midweek win over Cooks Hill with an opening-minute goal to Jarred Baker and a 90th-minute effort from Cody Nancarrow. Maitland improved to 25 points and fourth place with a 3-1 victory over Belmont Swansea at Blacksmiths on Wednesday night. Daniel McFarlane (40th minute), Benjamin (Taye) Power-O'Toole (56th minute) and Braedyn Crowley (65th minute) all scored for the Magpies, who climbed ahead of Charlestown (24), Lambton (23) and Newcastle Olympic (22). Substitute Kane Woolston pulled one back for Belswans in the 86th minute. Crowley took his goal tally to 15 goals and is closing in on Edgeworth's Ryan Feutz, who scored 18 goals for the Eagles before leaving the club two weeks ago to join Sydney Olympic in NPL NSW.
Bangkok Post
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Bangkok Post
Football Association of Thailand agrees to let Ikeda stay as Chaba Kaew coach
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) is keeping faith in Japanese coach Futoshi Ikeda despite the national team's failure to make it to the AFC Women's Asian Cup finals in Australia next year. After a meeting, the FAT confirmed on Monday that Ikeda will continue to coach the Chaba Kaew. Thailand were denied a place in Australia 2026 after they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of India at Chiang Mai's 700th Anniversary Stadium on Saturday night. The victory helped India end the qualifying tournament with a perfect 12 points in Group B of the qualifiers as former champions Thailand missed out on the finals. The annual meeting of the FAT executive board committee agreed to let the Japanese tactician continue as the coach of the national women's team, the association's president Nualphan Lamsam told media on Monday. "We have the Asean Women's Championship in Vietnam next month and the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand in December, so we think it will be good for the team to stay under Ikeda," added Nualphan. Buriram sign new players Reigning Thai League 1 champions Buriram United have further strengthened their squad by signing four new players for the new season. Goalkeeper Korraphat Nareechan has moved to the Thunder Castle from Lamphun Warriors, while Pathompol Charoenrattanapirom from Port, and Singapore star Ilhan Fandi and Shinnaphat Leeaoh, both from BG Pathum United, have also joined the club. Top-flight newcomers Kanchanaburi Power have also announced the arrival of Malaysia international Sergio Aguero. The 31-year-old Aguero started his career in his hometown in Argentina and has played for many Malaysian clubs, with his last team being Sri Pahang before moving to Kanchanaburi.
