The Japanese soccer season officially ended today with the Emperor's Cup Final at National Stadium in Tokyo. The game pitted defending champs Gamba Osaka against Nagoya Grampus. The winner would make the AFC Champions League, but Osaka were already in by virtue of their 3rd place J1 finish, which gave Nagoya a bit of extra incentive as if they lost, they would not make the Champions League.Gamba Osaka won the game 4-1 in a mildly entertaining affair which i enjoyed from the comforts of home. After Lucas gave Gamba the lead just 6 minutes in, Nagoya...
Thursday, 31 December 2009
DateSportVenueResultAttendanceSat, Jan 9Japan Rugby Top LeagueChichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo, JapanYamaha Jublio 17 at NEC Green Rockets 299,693Sat, Jan 9Japan Rugby Top LeagueChichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo, JapanSanyo Wild Knights 16 at Suntory Sungoliath 1612,587Thu, Jan 14NHLPhilips Arena, Atlanta, GABuffalo Sabres 2 at Atlanta Thrashers 1 (OT)11,313Fri, Jan 15NBAPhilips Arena, Atlanta, GAPhoenix Suns 101 at Atlanta Hawks 10217,605Sat, Jan 16ECHLThe Arena at Gwinnett Center, Gwinnett, GACharlotte Checkers 3 at Gwinnett Gladiators...
DateSportVenueResultAttendanceSat, Mar 7World Baseball Classic Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan Chinese Taipei 1 at China 412,890Sat, Mar 7World Baseball ClassicTokyo Dome, Tokyo, JapanJapan 14 at Korea 2 (7)45,640Thu, Apr 2Cactus League Spring TrainingTucson Electric Park, Tucson, AZColorado Rockies 7 at Arizona Diamondbacks 45,166Fri, Apr 3NCAA BaseballKindall Field, Tucson, AZUSC Trojans 6 at Arizona Wildcats 71,536Sat, Apr 4Cactus League Spring TrainingChase Field, Phoenix, AZ Chicago White Sox 2 at Arizona Diamondbacks 017,425Sun, Apr 5NCAA Womens...
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Two days ago saw the semifinals of the Emperor's Cup. Despite it being an official workday, many people have the final week of the year off and so the game in Tokyo was scheduled for a 3pm start. I had taken the day off in lieu and so headed out to National Stadium to check out Vegalta Sendai take on defending champions Gamba Osaka.The TeamsI've already seen Vegalta Sendai twice in this tournament, including their most recent victory over Kawasaki...
Monday, 28 December 2009
Kyoto is often called a beautiful city. I have to disagree. As the picture below shows, Kyoto, like all Japanese cities, has far too many bland buildings stretching as far as the eye can see. I think it's more accurate to say that Kyoto is Japan's most beautiful city, which is likely true for the wonderfully diverse areas you can wander when outside the downtown core. There is little doubt that Kyoto is the best city for tourism in this country....
Once in a while I take a trip that someone else plans for me. This past weekend was one of those trips, when my girlfriend planned a weekend in Kyoto to do some sightseeing. I've been to Kyoto before and it's always a good place to visit, but now I knew there was a basketball team there. Could the sports gods be giving me an early Christmas present? I checked out the bj League schedule and sure enough, the Kyoto Hannaryz were at home both days! As...
Thursday, 24 December 2009
Last week, Hideki Matsui signed a 1-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. By itself, this isn't a particularly surprising move, but it has enormous implications for televised major league games here in Japan.There are currently 5 Japanese position players in the majors (Matsui, Ichiro in Seattle, Akinori Iwamura of the Pirates, Kosuke Fukudome of the Cubs, and Kazuo Matsui of the Astros). But for TV purposes, there are really only 2: Hideki Matsui and Ichiro; the other 3 rarely get their games televised here. So what's the problem?With...
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