Today in Sports
  • Home
  • Featured News
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • More
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Soccer
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Cricket
  • DMCA
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Featured News
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • More
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Soccer
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Cricket
No Result
View All Result
Today in Sports
No Result
View All Result

‘Tough as ever’ – Wataru Endo lauded as Japan clinch World Cup ticket

March 20, 2025
in Football
0
Home Football
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


You might also like

Santos drops Neymar future hint ahead of FIFA Club World Cup? Club rewinds time with a kit that started it all

Manchester United could accelerate their move for Bryan Mbeumo if Liam Delap declines – Man United News And Transfer News

Mark Schwarzer hails Cole Palmer display in the Conference League final

Wataru Endo can already start clearing his diary for the summer of 2026 after Japan became the first country to successfully qualify for next year’s World Cup.

The Blue Samurai join co-host trio USA, Mexico and Canada at the finals after their 2-0 win over Bahrain on Saitama on Thursday guaranteed them a top-two finish in their AFC qualification group, confirming what had long since seemed a formality.

It maintains Japan’s record of featuring at every World Cup since their debut appearance in 1998, and such is their dominance in the group that they still have three more matches to fulfil.

Endo praised in Japan as World Cup ticket booked

As captain of his national team, Endo is a prominent figure in his homeland, and his country’s media hailed the Liverpool midfielder’s performance in today’s victory over Bahrain.

He earned a 6.5/10 match rating from Yahoo Japan, with the verdict that he was ‘as tough as ever’ and ‘showed his strengths not only defensively, but also offensively, and created chances’.

Meanwhile, Tokyo TV Sports noted that the 32-year-old was unfortunate to have a ninth-minute goal ruled out by VAR after Ayase Ueda was adjudged to have handled the ball in the lead-up.

(Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)

Endo puts in a captain’s performance for Japan

On the occasion of his 68th cap, Endo was indeed a valuable contributor to the win which confirmed an eighth successive World Cup final appearance for Japan.

As per Sofascore, the Liverpool man – who Thomas Hitzlsperger previously called “a manager’s dream” – won six of his nine duels, completed 69 of his 73 passes (95%), made three clearances and one tackle, played one key pass and created one ‘big chance’ for his team, all whilst losing the ball only eight times from 90 touches.

Assuming he’s available for the tournament in 15 months’ time, the Reds’ number 3 – whose example has been cited by Arne Slot as one for his teammates to follow – looks set to travel to his third World Cup, having been an unused squad member in Russia 2018 before playing all four of Japan’s matches at Qatar 2022.

The pressure is off for Endo and his national team when they host Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, and even with a long flight back to Merseyside, he’ll still have a week to prepare for the Merseyside derby as his attention reverts to the pursuit of a Premier League winner’s medal!



Source link

Tags: clinchcupEndojapanlaudedtickettoughWataruWorld
Share30Tweet19

Recommended For You

Santos drops Neymar future hint ahead of FIFA Club World Cup? Club rewinds time with a kit that started it all

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 29, 2025
0
Santos drops Neymar future hint ahead of FIFA Club World Cup? Club rewinds time with a kit that started it all

As the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup approaches, fans around the world are watching for any signs of what might come next in Neymar Jr.’s rollercoaster career. After a heavily...

Read more

Manchester United could accelerate their move for Bryan Mbeumo if Liam Delap declines – Man United News And Transfer News

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 28, 2025
0
Manchester United could accelerate their move for Bryan Mbeumo if Liam Delap declines – Man United News And Transfer News

1 Manchester United are looking to revamp their attack ahead of next season. After struggling in front of goal, Ruben Amorim has made it his mission to strengthen...

Read more

Mark Schwarzer hails Cole Palmer display in the Conference League final

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 28, 2025
0
Mark Schwarzer hails Cole Palmer display in the Conference League final

Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Cole Palmer. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Chelsea have turned it around in the second half...

Read more

Juventus target gets a €30m-a-year offer but he might favour a European stay –

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 28, 2025
0
Juventus target gets a €30m-a-year offer but he might favour a European stay –

Victor Osimhen appears increasingly unlikely to join Juventus this summer, with growing indications that the Nigerian forward may be set to leave Europe altogether. The striker has long...

Read more

How to watch Inter Miami vs CF Montreal in the USA: Live Stream and TV for 2025 MLS

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 28, 2025
0
How to watch Inter Miami vs CF Montreal in the USA: Live Stream and TV for 2025 MLS

Inter Miami head north to face CF Montreal in a crucial Eastern Conference clash, with both teams hungry for points. Miami, coming off a wild 3-3 draw against...

Read more
Next Post
Chiefs’ Salary Cap: Space comes into focus from details for 5 players

Chiefs’ Salary Cap: Space comes into focus from details for 5 players

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related News

Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa: Tremendous Salah as Reds go 5 factors clear – Liverpool FC

Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa: Tremendous Salah as Reds go 5 factors clear – Liverpool FC

November 9, 2024
Aaron Smith and ‘three or four other All Blacks’ keen to play for AUNZ XV

Aaron Smith and ‘three or four other All Blacks’ keen to play for AUNZ XV

March 27, 2025
Madrid Open Draw 2024 – Excellent Tennis

Madrid Open Draw 2024 – Excellent Tennis

April 22, 2024

Browse by Category

  • Athletics
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MMA
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
Today in Sports

Get the Latest Sports News and Updates on TodayInSports.net. Soccer News, Basketball News, Baseball News, Golf News, Boxing News and More!

CATEGORIES

  • Athletics
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MMA
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Tennis

Recent News

  • Santos drops Neymar future hint ahead of FIFA Club World Cup? Club rewinds time with a kit that started it all
  • Commanders may have a Terry McLaurin problem
  • UFC Vegas 107’s Dustin Jacoby ‘not happy’ about fighting at the Apex after incredible knockout – ‘I don’t want to waste my time’
  • Contact us
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Get the Latest Sports News and Updates on TodayInSports.net.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 2024 Today in Sports.
Today in Sports is not responsible for the content of external sites.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Featured News
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • More
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Soccer
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Cricket

Copyright © 2024 Today in Sports.
Today in Sports is not responsible for the content of external sites.