Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is leaving the club after reaching an agreement to mutually terminate his contract.

Australia take 1-0 smash-and-grab win over Samurai Blue in Perth Stunning 90th-minute strike all but secures automatic qualification It’s the smash-and-grab to end all smash-and-grabs and one that means everything to Australia. In the 90th minute of a game in which the Socceroos had been besieged by Japan, in which a rampant Samurai Blue had done everything but fashion that clearcut chance they needed to score a winning goal, Aziz Behich went back across his body and bent a shot with his non-preferred right foot beyond Kosei Tani and into the back of the net. With one fell swoop, with his first goal in green and gold in 13 years, the veteran defender had all but ensured that Australia punched their tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and, in doing so, cemented his place in Australian football folklore. Pandemonium gripped Perth Stadium. Behich streaked away towards the corner flag before being enveloped by teammates from every direction. On the sidelines, Tony Popovic let out a guttural roar before embracing his staff while the pyrotechnics were going off in the stands and strangers embraced each other in delirious jubilation. Continue reading...

The rise of the Samurai Blue has gone hand-in-hand with increased integration of ‘haafu’ into society, although things are still not perfect Through Japan’s previous seven World Cup appearances, the progress of its men’s national team has reflected the country’s ascent within the global soccer community, a result of three decades of professionalism and grassroots development producing a steady stream of Europe-ready players. On Thursday, that streak of consecutive appearances in men’s soccer’s showpiece event was officially extended to eight, as Japan’s 2-0 win over Bahrain made them the first non-host country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. Continue reading...

Brighton made it three wins in a row as they cruised to a 4-0 victory at rock-bottom Southampton to climb to eighth place in the Premier League and keep their European ambitions on track. Goals from the excellent João Pedro, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood were more than enough to condemn the Saints to a 21st defeat of the season and leave them on just nine points, two fewer than Derby’s record low total from the 2007-08 season. Continue reading...

Takehiro Tomiyasu is the latest Arsenal player to be ruled out of the rest of the season after the defender has knee surgery.

Manchester United are considering a move for Liam Delap, Liverpool are set to offer Newcastle Darwin Nunez plus cash in an attempt to land Alexander Isak, and Brighton might reluctantly sell Japan forward Kaoru Mitoma.

Enzo Maresca must be sick of the sight of Kaoru Mitoma. A week after he sent them tumbling out of the FA Cup, a breathtaking piece of control from the Japan winger to score the opening goal set up another memorable victory for Brighton and piled more pressure on the Chelsea manager. Three defeats in their last four matches and with Cole Palmer enduring a frustrating night as he laboured as a false 9, at times Maresca seemed lost on the touchline as he watched his side struggle to find a way back into the game after Yankuba Minteh had made it 2-0 before half-time. His second of the night killed off any hopes of a comeback and it could have turned into a Valentine’s Day massacre had Mitoma, João Pedro or Joël Veltman taken their chances late on. Continue reading...

Kaoru Mitoma scores a controversial winner as Brighton beat Chelsea to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Al-Nassr end their attempts to sign Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma after the Seagulls make it clear they have no intention of selling the Japan forward.

Tottenham agree £50m deal with Bayern Munich for Mathys Tel, Al-Nassr plot £90m offer for Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma, Ollie Watkins open to joining Arsenal, plus more.

Brighton reject a significant offer from Saudi Pro-League club Al-Nassr for Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma.

A first league win in nine for Brighton and the latest hard truth for Ipswich. The home side had been under little serious threat until Kaoru Mitoma, profiting from loose defending, scored just before the hour but were never in the game after that. They were smothered by visitors who chose to do anything but sit back on their lead, Georginio Rutter doubling the advantage and ensuring a swift return to the relegation zone for Kieran McKenna’s team. Brighton cruised home and, with players newly fit, will hope to have drawn breath for a march up the table. The pre-match levels of respect between McKenna and Fabian Hürzeler had been considerable: two of the best young managers around oversee teams to be proud of, and there was another clear point in common. Both sides might wonder how their seasons would look if draws more regularly became victories; Brighton had tied six of their winless run while Ipswich, freshly out of the bottom three on goal difference, could point to the recent dropping of two points late on at Fulham. Continue reading...

Brighton endured a nervy finale but João Pedro’s fourth goal of the season helped them to a fine 2-1 win at Bournemouth to continue Fabian Hürzeler’s flying start to life in the Premier League. João Pedro struck after four minutes and Kaoru Mitoma repeated the trick at the start of the second half to put the Seagulls in control. Continue reading...

Takumi Minamino scores twice as Monaco continue their bright start to this season's Champions League league phase with a big victory over winless Red Star Belgrade.