Autuori confirms deal with Kashima
December 29, 2005Brazilian Paulo Autuori, who coached South American champions Sao Paulo to victory at the Club World Championship earlier this month in Japan, has confirmed he has accepted a new offer by J-League Kashima Antlers, according to Brazilian media. Aut...
Lotte closer Kobayashi rejects offer
December 29, 2005Lotte Marines closer Masahide Kobayashi on Thursday turned down the Japan Series champions' offer of a 230 million yen annual salary, unchanged from this year. Kobayashi was 2-2 with 29 saves and a 2.58 ERA in 46 regular-season games, but team exe...
Inada scorches track to win national title
December 29, 2005Masaru Inada won his career first national skeleton title, outpacing the field on the first day of action on Thursday. Inada, who competed at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, took the crown after clocking a total of 1 minute, 52.70 seconds...
Suzuki-Tsujio duo wins 2-man national title
December 29, 2005The team of Hiroshi Suzuki and Mizuki Tsujio won the two-man competition at the national bobsleigh championships Thursday. The duo registered a winning total time of 1 minute, 51.03 seconds for two runs at Spiral track in Nagano Prefecture, with d...
Urawa reaches Emperor's Cup final
December 29, 2005Makoto Hasebe struck twice to fire Urawa Reds into the Emperor's Cup final as Guido Buchwald's men beat Omiya Ardija 4-2 after extra time Thursday and set up a New Year's Day showdown with Shimizu S-Pulse. Shimizu booked their place in the Japanes...
Zico interested in coaching in Europe
December 29, 2005Japan coach Zico spoke Wednesday of his interest in coaching in Europe after he steps down as national team boss after the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, but said he would not consider taking over at former club Flamengo in his native Brazil. "...