A remarkable come-from-behind victory over Germany has put the Blue Samaria in pole position to reach the last-16 stage for the fourth time. With Spain up next, they will want to get the job done this weekend.
For Costa Rica, a 7-0 defeat to Spain was the worst possible start, meaning they simply must win tonight to stand any chance of advancing.
Japan remain top of Group C after defeating China in World Cup Qualifiers.
Japan solidified its dominance in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with a commanding victory over China. The win keeps Japan firmly at the top of the table, as they edge closer to securing a spot in the tournament.
Welcome to Sportz Point's post-match report of the World Cup Qualifier clash between Japan and China. Japan's win today increases their goal tally to 39 so far in the qualifiers and with a 20-plus goal difference this country is on course to qualify for the World Cup in a remarkable style. Here, we break down all the key moments and highlights from the game.
Japan took control of the game from the opening whistle, dominating possession and relentlessly pressuring the Chinese defense. The first notable chance came in the 10th minute when Chinese attacker Wei Shihao received a brilliant through ball from Wang Shangyuan and fired a right-footed shot. However, the tight angle denied him a goal.
Despite mounting pressure, Japan struggled to convert until the 39th minute when Koki Ogawa headed a Takefusa Kubo corner into the bottom left corner. Just before the halftime whistle, Ko Itakura doubled the lead, capitalizing on a well-delivered corner by Koki Machida. The first half ended with Japan firmly in control, leading 2-0.
China started the second half with intent, as Wei Shihao delivered a precise pass to Lin Liangming which he finished beautifully just four minutes after the restart.
Xie Wenneng nearly equalized with a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box, but the Japanese goalkeeper made a crucial save to his left.
Both teams enjoyed spells of possession, seeking opportunities to score. In the 54th minute,Koki Ogawa extended Japan's lead, heading in a well-placed cross from Junya Ito.
Despite several attacking attempts from both sides, no further goals were scored, and the match concluded after seven minutes of added time.
24 medals for India at Japan Para Badminton International 2024
India concluded their campaign at the Japan Para Badminton International 2024 in Tokyo, with 24 medals, including six gold, nine silver, and nine bronze.
When the exclusion of badminton from the 2026 Commonwealth Games feels like unhealed pain for Indian badminton fans, the shuttles shine at the Japan ParaBadmintonInternational 2024 in Tokyo. India concluded their campaign with 24medals, including six gold, nine silver, and nine bronze.
Sivarajan Solaimalai defeated Chun Yim Wong of Hong Kong in straight games (21-16, 21-16), thus winning the gold medal in the men's single SH6 category.
Manisha Ramadass clinched the gold medal by defeating Japan's Mamiko Toyoda by 21-12, 21-18 in the SU5 women's singles category.
Sukant Kadam, however, defeated his contemporary Indian Tarun Dhillon by 21-12, 21-10 to win the gold in the SL4 Men's Singles Category.
Naveen Sivakumar and Surya Kant won the bronze medals.
Upset For Paralympic Champion Nitesh Kumar at the Japan ParaBadmintonInternational 2024
Japan's Fujihara Daisuke defeated Nitesh Kumar in a thrilling three-game contest in the final, with Kumar winning just one in the middle. The scoreboard says 16-21, 21-18, 19-21. Nitesh had to settle for silver
Hardik Makkar too received a silver medal after being defeated by Japan's Taio by 5-21, 19-21 in the SU5 Men's single final. Ruthik Raghupati won a bronze medal in this category.
The other silver came after Coraline Bergeron of France defeated Neeraj in the women's singles SL3 category final.
Hardik who failed in the SU5 Men's single, partnered with Ruthik and won gold by defeating the Indo-Polish duo Dev Rathi and Bartlomiej Mroz.
Umesh Vikram Kumar and Surya Kant Yadav won the gold medal in the SL3-SL4 men's double category by defeating their fellow Indians Sukant Kadam and Dinesh Rajaiah 21-5, 20-22, 21-16.
In the D SH6 category, Sudarsan Saravanakumar Mutusamy and Sivarajan Solaimalai won the gold medal.
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Football has some of the most unique and prestigious tournaments in the world of sport. Major International Tournaments are played rarely, making it important for the nations to capitalize on opportunities to win silverware. The more it is rare, the more it is difficult for the nations to win trophies. In our latest article on football facts, we bring you the most successful football-playing nations in every major international tournament.
Football facts: Most Successful Nations in every Major International Football Tournament
FIFA World Cup - Brazil - 5 titles
The FIFA World Cup is the biggest and the most prestigious International title in the world of football. Football players see it as the prime football competition to win in their career. So, winning the World Cup competition is not easy. The tournament has been held every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930.
Brazil have won five World Cup titles | Image: FIFA
The trophy has been won by eight national teams. Brazil, with five wins, are the only team to have played in every tournament. The country with the most FIFA World Cup titles is Brazil which holds five world titles won in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. Italy and Germany are the second most successful nations in the World Cup, having won four titles each.
Copa America - Argentina - 16 titles
The competition determines the champions of South America. Since the 1990s, teams from North America and Asia have also been invited to compete. Argentina is most successful nation in the competition's history, with 16 titles each.
Argentina have won 16 Copa America titles
Argentina won their first Copa America title in 1921 and have won 16 Copa America titles to date, the most by any nation. They are the only nation in South America to win the Copa America title three consecutive times. Argentina were finding it very difficult to win the title after 1993 but Lionel Messi led his side to victory in 2021 after beating Brazil by 1-0.
The only nation to win the tournament in consecutive years (2008, 2012), Spain have won the most titles at the Euros. Their first title came in 1964, the second edition of the tournament. The 2008 and 2012 Spanish teams had some of the greatest players in their history. That group of players also won the 2010 World Cup with Spain.
Then La Roja had to wait for 12 years to lift their fourth Europan Championship title. Spain defeated England by 2-1 in the Final in Berlin to become the most successful team in Euro history with their fourth title.
CONCACAF Gold Cup - Mexico - 9 titles
Mexico have won the Gold Cup nine times
The CONCACAF Gold Cup is the main association football competition, determining the continental champions of North America (Northern America, Central America, and the Caribbean). The Gold Cup is held every two years. Mexico are the most successful nation in the Gold Cup, winning the title a record 9 times. (1993, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023) They are the defending champions, beating Panama by 1-0 in the Final.
Africa Cup of Nations - Egypt - 7 titles
Egypt are the most successful nation in Africa with the most number of AFCON titles | Image: Getty
The Africa Cup of Nations, commonly known as the AFCON is the main International Men's Association Football competition in Africa. Egypt have been the dominant nation in Africa Cup of Nations history with seven titles (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010) including the first edition of the competition back in 1957. Egypt won three consecutive titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
AFC Asian Cup - Japan - 4 titles
Japan are the most successful nation in the AFC Asian Cup history | Image: AFC
The AFC Asian Cup is an association football competition of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the sport's Asian governing body, and takes place generally every four years. It is the world's second-oldest continental football championship, at 68 years old. Japan is the most successful team in the tournament, winning it four times. Japan is one of the most successful teams in Asia, having qualified for the last seven FIFA World Cups. The Blue Samurais won three titles since 2000.
OFC Nations Cup - New Zealand - 6 titles
New Zealand won their sixth OFC Nations Cup in the 2024 edition of the tournament | Image: Photosport
The OFC Men's Nations Cup is the prime association football competition of the Oceania Football Confederation. New Zealand is the most successful team in the history of the tournament, winning six titles. They won the inaugural edition (1973) of the competition too, beating Tahiti by 2-0 in the Final. They won their sixth title by beating Vanuatu 3-0 in the Final. The 2020 edition of the continental championship was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time since 2016 that the Nations Cup had been held and New Zealand delivered once again.
Japan to advance In World Cup 2026 Qualifying After North Korea Game Cancelled
Japan are set to reach the final stage of qualifying for the Football World Cup 2026 without kicking a ball after FIFA announced that their match with North Korea will not be rescheduled.
Japan are all set to reach the final stage of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 without kicking a ball after FIFA said their match with North Korea will not be rescheduled. The match was set to take place on Tuesday in Pyongyang, but the North Korea qualifier was then called off with no explanation from the nation. Asian Football Confederation said the match is off and at the weekend FIFA announced that it "shall neither be played nor rescheduled. The matter and match outcome will be referred to the FIFA disciplinary committee."
Japan beat North Korea 1-0 in Tokyo on Thursday to make it three wins from three in Asian qualifying Group B. Coach Hajime Moriyasu, who led Japan to the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup after knocking off Spain and Germany out, wanted to play North Korea game as it was an opportunity for them to make further improvements in their game.
"Unfortunately, we lost the opportunity to correct areas of concern and potential areas for improvement that came to light. We will aim to improve as a team based on what we have built so far," he said on Friday.
Japan had a beautiful run in the 2022 Qatar World Cup but the final glory never came. They are trying to head into the upcoming World Cup as more prepared than ever and for that, the North Korea FIFA World Cup Qualifiers game was very important. They entered the AFC Asian Cup as the favourites but got knocked out of the tournament in the quarter-finals by Iran. So, they were hoping to improve their game before the time came. Japan will next face Myanmar and Syria in the second round of the qualifiers.
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