Soccer: Goal machine Araujo named J-League Player of the Year
December 20, 2005Gamba Osaka's Brazilian goal machine Araujo, whose goal-a-game average helped his side win the J-League first division this season, was named J-League Player of the Year on Tuesday. The 28-year-old striker, who will leave Gamba at the end of their Emperor's Cup campaign, scored 33 goals in as many league matches this term, including two in the 4-2 win over Kawasaki Frontale that helped Akira Nishino's men win their first league title on the final day of the season.
Baseball: Y. Takahashi takes pay cut but re-signs with Yomiuri
December 20, 2005Yomiuri Giants outfielder Yoshinobu Takahashi on Tuesday took a pay cut for the first time in his pro career but re-signed with the Central League club on deal that will give him an annual salary of 320 million yen. The 30-year-old, who took a 20 million yen cut, earlier this month underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle and is facing a battle to recover in time for Opening Day next season.
Baseball: Veteran slugger Kiyohara to play for Orix
December 20, 2005Veteran slugger Kazuhiro Kiyohara, who was released by the Yomiuri Giants in the fall, said on Tuesday he will play for the Orix Buffaloes next season. Kiyohara has accepted a one-year deal that includes an annual salary of about 250 million yen and said former Orix manager Akira Ogi, who passed away last week, had helped him make up his mind to return to his native Osaka.
Soccer: Brazilian Gallo to take reigns at FC Tokyo
December 20, 2005FC Tokyo on Tuesday named Brazilian Gallo as the new manager of the J-League first-division club. The 38-year-old Gallo, a former assistant coach to current Brazil national team coach Carlos Alberto Parreira at Corinthians, takes over the reins from Hiromi Hara, who stepped down as Tokyo manager earlier this month.