Ice Hockey: Olympic final q'fier

Ice Hockey: Olympic final q'fier

Japan players celebrate after defeating Poland 6-0 to secure a fourth straight Olympic berth in the final women's ice hockey qualifying tournament for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games on Feb. 8, 2025, in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, northern Japan.

Ice Hockey: Olympic final q'fier

Ice Hockey: Olympic final q'fier

Japan players celebrate after defeating Poland 6-0 to secure a fourth straight Olympic berth in the final women's ice hockey qualifying tournament for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games on Feb. 8, 2025, in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, northern Japan.

Ice Hockey: Olympic final q'fier

Ice Hockey: Olympic final q'fier

Japan players celebrate after defeating Poland 6-0 to secure a fourth straight Olympic berth in the final women's ice hockey qualifying tournament for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games on Feb. 8, 2025, in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, northern Japan.

Ice Hockey: Olympic final q'fier

Ice Hockey: Olympic final q'fier

Japan players acknowledge the crowd after defeating Poland 6-0 to secure its fourth straight Olympic berth in the final women's ice hockey qualifying tournament for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games on Feb. 8, 2025, in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, northern Japan.

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Members of the Japanese men's national football team train in Narashino in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on March 19, 2024, ahead of a World Cup qualifier against North Korea on March 21.

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Members of the Japanese men's national football team train in Narashino in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on March 19, 2024, ahead of a World Cup qualifier against North Korea on March 21.

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Members of the Japanese men's national football team train in Narashino in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on March 19, 2024, ahead of a World Cup qualifier against North Korea on March 21.

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Members of the Japanese men's national football team train in Narashino in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on March 19, 2024, ahead of a World Cup qualifier against North Korea on March 21.

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Members of the Japanese men's national football team train in Narashino in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on March 19, 2024, ahead of a World Cup qualifier against North Korea on March 21.

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Members of the Japanese men's national football team train in Chiba, near Tokyo, on March 18, 2024, ahead of two World Cup qualifiers against North Korea on March 21 and 26.

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Members of the Japanese men's national football team train in Chiba, near Tokyo, on March 18, 2024, ahead of two World Cup qualifiers against North Korea on March 21 and 26.

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Members of the Japanese men's national football team train in Chiba, near Tokyo, on March 18, 2024, ahead of two World Cup qualifiers against North Korea on March 21 and 26.

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Football: Japan ahead of World Cup q'fier

Members of the Japanese men's national football team train in Chiba, near Tokyo, on March 18, 2024, ahead of two World Cup qualifiers against North Korea on March 21 and 26.

[Breaking News]Nadeshiko Japan's Paris Olympic q'fier against N. Korea

CHIBA, Japan Kyodo - Japan Football Association Women's Committee Chairperson Norio Sasaki speaks during a press conference in Chiba near Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2024, ahead of Nadeshiko Japan's Paris Olympics qualifier against North Korea. The venue for the first part of a two-legged tie against North Korea is yet to be decided after Japan conveyed its concerns to the Asian Football Confederation about facing North Korea in Pyongyang as originally scheduled. (Kyodo)

Nadeshiko Japan's Paris Olympic q'fier against N. Korea

Nadeshiko Japan's Paris Olympic q'fier against N. Korea

Japan Football Association Women's Committee Chairperson Norio Sasaki speaks during a press conference in Chiba near Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2024, ahead of Nadeshiko Japan's Paris Olympics qualifier against North Korea. The venue for the first part of a two-legged tie against North Korea is yet to be decided after Japan conveyed its concerns to the Asian Football Confederation about facing North Korea in Pyongyang as originally scheduled.

Nadeshiko Japan's Paris Olympic q'fier against N. Korea

Nadeshiko Japan's Paris Olympic q'fier against N. Korea

Japan Football Association Women's Committee Chairperson Norio Sasaki speaks during a press conference in Chiba near Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2024, ahead of Nadeshiko Japan's Paris Olympics qualifier against North Korea. The venue for the first part of a two-legged tie against North Korea is yet to be decided after Japan conveyed its concerns to the Asian Football Confederation about facing North Korea in Pyongyang as originally scheduled.

Japan settle for point at Saudi Arabia in Olympic q'fier

Japan settle for point at Saudi Arabia in Olympic q'fier

DAMMAM, Saudi Arabia - Japan U-22 Atsuto Uchida and Saudi Arabia U-22 Ibrahim Shrahili battle for the ball during the second half of their final round of Asian zone qualifiers for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, on Sept. 8. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.

Soccer: Japan-Australia World Cup q'fier

Soccer: Japan-Australia World Cup q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan, Aug. 31 Kyodo - Japan's Hotaru Yamaguchi (16) and Australia's Matthew Spiranovic (6) vie for the ball during the first half of a World Cup final-round qualifier at Saitama Stadium, north of Tokyo, on Aug. 31, 2017. Japan won 2-0 to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

Ito stuns world champ Ding in Olympic q'fier

Ito stuns world champ Ding in Olympic q'fier

HONG KONG, April 14 Kyodo - Japan's Mima Ito celebrates after beating women's world champion Ding Ning of China 4-2 in Hong Kong on April 14, 2016, to advance to the first-stage semifinals of an East Asian qualification tournament for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Japan missing Honda, Nagatomo for World Cup q'fier

Japan missing Honda, Nagatomo for World Cup q'fier

TOKYO, Japan - Japan soccer coach Alberto Zaccheroni holds a press conference in Tokyo on March 14, 2013. Japan will be without the driving force of CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda and Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo for the upcoming World Cup qualifier away to Jordan due to fitness issues, Zaccheroni said.

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan - Japan's Keisuke Honda kisses his jersey after scoring the first goal during the first half of a game against Oman in the final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo on June 3, 2012. Japan beat Oman 3-0.

Japan beat Oman in World Cup final q'fier

Japan beat Oman in World Cup final q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan - Japan's Keisuke Honda (L) and Makoto Hasebe respond to cheers from supporters after Japan's 3-0 victory against Oman in the final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo on June 3, 2012.

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan - Supporters of Japan hold a banner that reads, "Take me to Brazil," and celebrate after Japan's 3-0 victory against Oman in the final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo on June 3, 2012.

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan - Japan's Shinji Okazaki scores the third goal past Oman's goalkeeper Al-Habsi during the second half of a game in the final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo on June 3, 2012. Japan beat Oman 3-0.

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan - Japan's Shinji Okazaki scores the third goal during the second half of a game against Oman in the final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo on June 3, 2012. Japan beat Oman 3-0.

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan - Japan's Ryoichi Maeda (2nd from R) celebrates with teammate Keisuke Honda (2nd from L) after scoring the second goal during the second half of a game against Oman in the final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo on June 3, 2012. Japan beat Oman 3-0.

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan - Japan's Keisuke Honda (L back) scores the first goal during the first half of a game against Oman in the final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo on June 3, 2012. Japan beat Oman 3-0.

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan - Japan's Ryoichi Maeda (R) scores the second goal past Oman's goalkeeper Al-Habsi during the second half of a game in the final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo on June 3, 2012. Japan beat Oman 3-0.

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan - Japan's Keisuke Honda (C back) scores the first goal during the first half of a game against Oman in the final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo on June 3, 2012. Japan beat Oman 3-0.

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan - Japan's Keisuke Honda (far R) scores the first goal during the first half of a game against Oman in the final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo on June 3, 2012. Japan beat Oman 3-0.

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan - Japan's Keisuke Honda (L) scores the first goal during the first half of a game against Oman in the final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo on June 3, 2012. Japan beat Oman 3-0.

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

Japan beat Oman 3-0 in World Cup final q'fier

SAITAMA, Japan - Photo shows huge Japanese flags held by supporters of Japan ahead of a game against Oman in the final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo on June 3, 2012. Japan beat Oman 3-0.

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni (R) and Mike Havenaar touch hands as the forward is substituted in the second half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011. Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0, with Havenaar scoring twice, both with a header.

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Shinji Okazaki celebrates after scoring Japan's eighth goal in the second half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011. Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0, with Okazaki scoring twice.

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Mike Havenaar (C) celebrates with forward Shinji Kagawa (L), with forward Shinji Okazaki (R) approaching, after Havenaar scored Japan's fifth goal in the second half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011. Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0.

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni raises his fist after forward Mike Havenaar scored Japan's first goal in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011. Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0.

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Shinji Kagawa (R) celebrates with midfielder Kengo Nakamura after the latter scored Japan's sixth goal in the second half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011. Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0.

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Shinji Kagawa (R) celebrates with midfielder Kengo Nakamura after Kagawa scored Japan's fourth goal, with Nakamura's assist, in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011. Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0.

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Mike Havenaar (C) heads home, scoring Japan's fifth goal in the second half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011. Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0.

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Mike Havenaar (2nd from L) heads home, scoring Japan's first goal in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011. Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0.

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0 in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Shinji Kagawa (L) celebrates with midfielder Kengo Nakamura after Kagawa scored Japan's fourth goal, with Nakamura's assist, in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011. Japan beat Tajikistan 8-0.

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Members of Japan's national soccer team celebrate after forward Mike Havenaar (bottom) headed home to score Japan's first goal in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011.

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Mike Havenaar (16) heads home, scoring Japan's first goal in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011.

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Mike Havenaar (front) celebrates after heading home to score Japan's first goal in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011.

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Shinji Kagawa celebrates after scoring Japan's fourth goal in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011.

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Shinji Okazaki celebrates after scoring Japan's second goal in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011.

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Shinji Okazaki (R) scores Japan's second goal in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011.

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Mike Havenaar (R top) heads home, scoring Japan's first goal in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011.

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

Japan vs. Tajikistan in World Cup q'fier

OSAKA, Japan - Forward Mike Havenaar (L) heads home, scoring Japan's first goal in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2011.

Japan beat Australia in Olympic q'fier

Japan beat Australia in Olympic q'fier

JINAN, China - Japan's Nahomi Kawasumi (9) scores in the 62nd minute of a game against Australia at Shandong Sports Center in Jinan, China, on Sept. 5, 2011, during the final round of the women's Asian qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics. Japan won the game 1-0.