http://www.football.co.uk/ The latest headlines and articles from the world of football. © 2008 Underground Digital Media Ltd. All rights reserved. 503 Jul 2006 14:53:04Midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata has announced his retirement from all football following Japan's exit from the World Cup finals in Germany...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/nakata_calls_it_a_day_230571.shtml25 Jun 2006 15:33:23Ivica Osim has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Zico as manager of Japan's national team...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/osim_in_line_for_japan_job_230076.shtml18 Jun 2006 10:10:06Akira Kaji is set to return to the Japan starting line-up for Sunday's crucial Group F match against Croatia...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/kaji_back_for_japan_229649.shtml17 Jun 2006 13:25:25After losing their opening Group F games, both Japan and Croatia desperately need to pick up three points when they meet each other in Nuremberg on Sunday...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/survival_battle_in_nuremberg_229628.shtml13 Jun 2006 15:10:46Coach Zico is refusing to concede defeat in Japan's bid to reach the last 16 at the World Cup finals...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/zico_looking_forward_229385.shtml12 Jun 2006 08:15:02Japan coach Zico has warned his players to be aware of the threat posed by Harry Kewell in Monday's World Cup clash against Australia...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/zico_wary_of_kewell_threat_229276.shtml11 Jun 2006 11:59:59Several of Japan's squad have voiced their concerns over Australia's physical approach to the game...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/japan_fear_aussie_battlers_229226.shtml10 Jun 2006 17:45:24Japan coach Zico has told his players not to worry about playing attractive football as long as they secure the points in their World Cup opener against Australia...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/points_everything_for_zico_229203.shtml09 Jun 2006 17:38:18Japan coach Zico is furious with Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger for a challenge that is likely to see Akiri Kaji miss the World Cup opener against Australia...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/zico_slams_schweinsteiger_229153.shtml09 Jun 2006 09:14:19Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura is confident a knee injury will not prevent him lining up against Australia on Monday...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/naka_on_course_for_aussie_clash_229099.shtml08 Jun 2006 13:48:57Right winger Akira Kaji is Japan's only major injury worry ahead of their World Cup opener against Australia in Kaiserslautern on June 12...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/zico_waiting_on_kaji_229053.shtml06 Jun 2006 14:06:12Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura is expecting his country to be challenging Australia for the runners-up spot in Group F...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/nakamura_wary_of_aussies_228891.shtml05 Jun 2006 12:38:47Left winger Alex is confident of recovering from an ankle problem in time to play in Japan's World Cup opener against Australia on June 12...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/alex_upbeat_on_fitness_228802.shtml04 Jun 2006 17:53:22Japan's final warm-up game for the World Cup finals ended in an unconvincing 1-0 win over Malta...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/japan_edge_out_malta_228752.shtml03 Jun 2006 12:22:15Japan coach Zico has doubts over two of his strikers with just over a week to go before his side's opening World Cup clash against Australia...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/striker_concerns_for_zico_228684.shtml01 Jun 2006 10:29:20Japan officials expect Akira Kaji to recover from an ankle injury in time to face Australia at the World Cup finals on June 12...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/kaji_boost_for_japan_228530.shtml31 May 2006 14:17:07Japan coach Zico has called Teruyuki Moniwa into his World Cup squad as a replacement for the injured Makoto Tanaka...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/zico_sends_for_moniwa_228496.shtml22 May 2006 13:17:12Japan striker Atsushi Yanagisawa insists he has recovered from a foot injury and will be fit enough to play for his country in next month's World Cup finals...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/yanagisawa_raring_to_go_228004.shtml15 May 2006 12:14:39Japan coach Zico believes that striker Seiichiro Maki will prove to be a valuable member of his squad for the World Cup finals in Germany...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/zico_backs_maki_to_shine_227696.shtml12 May 2006 12:14:03Japan have confirmed that Shinji Murai has been ruled out of this summer's World Cup Finals after suffering a knee injury...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/knee_woe_for_murai_227595.shtml11 May 2006 22:26:07Japan produced a poor display in their 2-1 Kirin Cup defeat to Bulgaria on Monday as their preparations for the World Cup finals were dealt a blow...http://www.football.co.uk/japan/zico_bemoans_missed_chances_227487.shtml