Japan midfielder Momoko Tanikawa controls the ball in the second half against the Philippines in a 2026 Women's Asian Cup quarterfinal match in Sydney on March 15. (©KYODO)
By beating the Philippines 7-0 on Sunday, March 15, Nadeshiko Japan secured a berth in the 2026 Women's Asian Cup semifinals.
In its high-scoring win in Sydney, the Japan women's national soccer team exhibited its offensive talents.
The squad's first goal, scored by Mina Tanaka in first-half injury time, ignited the offense. A second goal, delivered by Toko Koga, quickly followed, and manager Nils Nielsen's team walked off the pitch with a 2-0 halftime lead.
"We would have liked to score earlier but we have to give credit to a team that made an art out of defending and getting in the way," Nielsen told reporters after the quarterfinal victory.
"I do think the right team went through, but we took time to break the Philippines defense, even though once we managed to do so, it became a comfortable win."
Nadeshiko Japan's other goalscorers were Remina Chiba (65th minute), Manaka Matsukubo (67th), Koga (76th, her second tally of the match), Momoko Tanikawa (86th) and Riko Ueki (90th).
Vying to Reach the Final
Japan faces South Korea in the semifinals on Wednesday, March 18 at 6 PM JST in Sydney.
Midfielder Tanikawa, one of Japan's rising stars, is determined to make an impact against South Korea.
"I came here to be a champion and I want to show the joy of being at this tournament. I'm proud to be part of the national team and I'll do my best tomorrow," said Tanikawa.
Tanikawa also commended Nielsen for his leadership.
"The head coach (Nielsen) has various approaches to strengthen us mentally and we have learned a lot from him," added the 21-year-old who plays for FC Bayern Munich in the German League. "We will try to enjoy the game. I'm looking forward to it. We have had really good preparation, we want to win and advance to the final."
In the other semifinal, Australia defeated China 2-1 on Tuesday.
Did You Know?
Nadeshiko Japan has won the Women's Asian Cup two times, collecting back-to-back titles in 2014 and '18.
Sumo
Kirishima, Gonoyama Tied for Lead at Spring Basho
Sekiwake Kirishima and 10th-ranked maegashira Gonoyama both improved to 9-1 with victories at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday, March 17. The veteran wrestlers are tied for the lead in the 15-day tournament in Osaka.
Mongolian Kirishima notched a win over No 4 maegashira Takanosho (7-3) on Day 10, utilizing a successful hand pull-down technique.
Gonoyama relied on a slap-down maneuver to triumph over 12th-ranked maegashira Asakoryu.
In another key bout on Tuesday, yokozuna Hoshoryu (8-2) defeated struggling komusubi Wakamotoharu (2-8). Earlier in the day, in an all-maegashira showdown, Shodai (7-3) outdueled Kotoshoho (8-2).
The 15-day tournament wraps up on Sunday.
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Baseball
Takemaru to Be Yomiuri's 1st Rookie Starting Pitcher for Opener Since 1962
For the first time since the Shigeo Nagashima/Sadaharu Oh era, a rookie will throw the first pitch on Opening Day for the Yomiuri Giants.
Left-hander Kazuyuki Takemaru is set to pitch against the Hanshin Tigers in the season opener on March 27 at Tokyo Dome, Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe said on Monday, March 16. He'll be the team's first rookie starter in a season opener since Kunio Jonouchi in 1962, when he went 24-12.
Takemaru, who turned 24 on February 26, was a first-round pick by Yomiuri in the 2025 NPB draft.
A former Josai University and Japan Industrial League standout for Saginomiya Seisakusho, Takemaru is looking forward to the challenge of making his NPB debut against the Tigers.
"The Hanshin Tigers are a strong team," Takemaru was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "Of course, I want to win, and it would be even better if I could pitch well and lead us to victory."
Yamamoto Named Dodgers' Opening Day Starter
For the second straight year, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named the starter for the team's season opener on March 26.
An announcement was made by manager Dave Roberts on Monday, March 16.
In the opener, the Dodgers take on the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks as they enter the 2026 MLB season as the two-time defending champions.
"It is a pretty easy decision, considering that it's an honor to be the Opening Day starter," Roberts said of naming Yamamoto the starter, according to MLB.com. "He started for us last year on the road [in Tokyo]. But for him to get that start on Opening Day at home, I think it's going to be special."
Yamamoto went 12-8 with a 2.49 ERA in 30 starts in 2025. The 27-year-old signed a 12-year deal with the Dodgers in December 2023.
Table Tennis
Harimoto Captures 1st WTT Champions Title
Sendai native Miwa Harimoto became the youngest winner of a World Table Tennis Champions tournament title on Sunday, March 15 in China.
At the WTT Champions Chongqing, the 17-year-old defeated China's Man Kuai in a hard-fought women's final (11-6, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5).
It was Harimoto's third appearance in a WTT Champions final.
The world's fifth-ranked women's player was excited to learn that she'd established the record as the youngest event champion for the table tennis circuit.
"I'm thrilled to hear that," Harimoto, an Olympic debutante at the 2024 Paris Games, told reporters. "Someone may break the record one day, but until then, I'll be the youngest ever champion. I'm really happy to have claimed the title."
The International Table Tennis Federation launched the WTT in 2019, signaling a more lucrative professional era for the sport. Prior to that, the ITTF World Tour staged tournaments around the globe.
Boxing
Iwata Becomes WBC Flyweight Champion
Shokichi Iwata earned a unanimous eighth-round technical decision over Thai champion Knockout CP Freshmart in a scheduled 12-round WBC light flyweight title bout at Yokohama Buntai on Sunday, March 15.
The fight was stopped due to a big cut over Freshmart's left eye.
"At the end of the eighth round, the ringside physician examined the injury and determined it was unsafe for Freshmart to continue," the World Boxing Council explained in an online news report. "Per WBC regulations, since more than four rounds had been completed, the result went to the scorecards."
Iwata improved to 16-2 (12 knockouts). The 30-year-old previously held the WBO light flyweight title, but lost the title in March 2025.
With the loss, Iwata's Thai opponent, whose given name is Thammanoon Niyomtrong, fell to 29-2 (11 KOs).
Author: Ed Odeven
Follow Ed's [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
