Soccer: K. Nakata declines offer to play in Israel
January 11, 2006Japanese international defender Koji Nakata, who is having an unhappy spell at Marseille, said Wednesday he has decided not to join an Israeli club. ''I left Kashima Antlers to put myself in tougher situations and become a better player. Looking back at the start, I decided to put an end to talks on moving to Israel,'' Nakata said on his official website after returning from the Middle East nation.
Soccer: Kashima set to begin talks with Red Star over Suzuki
January 11, 2006J-League club Kashima Antlers are set to enter into negotiations with former European champions Red Star Belgrade over a possible transfer of Japan striker Takayuki Suzuki, Kashima officials said Wednesday. ''We are looking at the matter positively and plan to send a document shortly to Red Star to notify them of our intention to hold talks over the offer for Suzuki,'' Kashima board director Mitsuru Suzuki said.
Sumo: Asashoryu, Kotooshu wins comfortably at New Year meet
January 11, 2006Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu and newly promoted Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu improved their records with comfortable wins at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday. Asashoryu barely broke sweat in barging third-ranked maegashira Takekaze out of the ring in a matter of seconds for his second straight win after suffering an upset defeat at the hands of Kokkai on the second day.
Baseball: Lasorda calls Matsui's WBC absence disappointing
January 11, 2006World Baseball Classic Ambassador Tommy Lasorda said the recent decisions by New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui and Chicago White Sox infielder Tadahito Iguchi to sit out the inaugural event are disappointing. ''I know Matsui very well. He is such a tremendous guy. But I'm disappointed in him that he is not playing for his country,'' former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Lasorda said at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan.