John Duerden, Asia correspondent

Keisuke Honda eyes Melbourne Victory move and Tokyo Olympics place

Tim Cahill says he was surprised by the passion of A-League fans on his return to Australia.

ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop explains why he doesn’t see Usain Bolt’s six-week A-League trial as anything more than a piece of commercialism. Keisuke Honda is targeting a move to Melbourne Victory and a place in the Japan team at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Honda, 32, announced his retirement from the national team last month after playing at his third World Cup and helping Japan reach the second round.
However, the forward said he would love the chance to star in his homeland as one of three overage players in the under-23 tournament.
“I have the aim of playing in the Tokyo Olympics in two years,” he told AbemaTV. “One of the reasons…

FC Tokyo to hire Andres Iniesta impersonator with Vissel Kobe star set to miss game

While Andres Iniesta may have moved on from Barcelona, new signing Arthur discusses how he hopes to emulate his habits and successes. FC Tokyo are reportedly set to bring in an impersonator of Vissel Kobe star Andres Iniesta, who is likely to miss the clubs’ meeting at the Ajinomoto Stadium on Sunday.
Iniesta arrived in Japan from Barcelona last month but, after two J-League appearances against Shonan Bellmare and Kashiwa Reysol, has returned to Spain for a brief visit.
“Iniesta has made a quick trip back to Spain to pick up his family and bring them to Japan,” Vissel Kobe business director Masayuki Mori told ESPN FC. “He will…

Tianjin Quanjian’s Axel Witsel expected back in China amid Borussia Dortmund links

Tianjin Quanjian coach Paulo Sousa has said he expects midfielder Axel Witsel back in China this weekend despite reports linking him with Borussia Dortmund.
Earlier this week, Belgian broadcaster RTBF claimed Witsel, still on holiday after helpi…

Brighton’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh out to prove he’s more Van Nistelrooy than Kezman in Premier League

Will Keylor Navas stay at or leave Real Madrid? Is Paul Pogba headed back to Serie A? Steve Nicol rates the day’s biggest transfer links.

The guys respond to your tweets about Paul Mariner’s suits, Milan’s rebuild, Neymar and what annoys them about modern footballers.
There is a longstanding summer tradition of the big stars from the Dutch top tier heading to the English Premier League. The list of those who have shone — such as Arjen Robben and Ruud van Nistlerooy — is mirrored by the misses — Mateja Kezman, Afonso Alves and Jon Dahl Tomasson. It remains to be seen on what side of that divide Alireza Jahanbakhsh falls as he becomes Brighton and Hove Albion’s record signing, but the Iranian winger has shone every time he has stepped up to the next level.
There…

Arsene Wenger could play advisory role after Japan announce new coach

Atletico Madrid picked up the extra point in their ICC match against Arsenal after they prevailed on penalties.

Aaron Ramsey has confirmed he is yet to agree to personal terms on a new contract at Arsenal.

Petr Cech insisted he is not listening to speculation regarding his future at Arsenal, despite the signing of German international Bernd Leno.
Japan announced Hajime Moriyasu as national team head coach on Thursday amid reports that Arsene Wenger could still play an advisory role in the development of the game in the country.
Before his 22 years at Arsenal, Wenger spent 18 successful months in Japan as coach of Nagoya Grampus from 1995 to 1996, a period that has produced a lasting mutual affection between the Frenchman and the country’s football fans and administrators.
The 68 year-old, who left the London club in May, was linked with…

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger not in running to become next Japan manager

Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson tries to read deeper into Arsene Wenger’s regret about staying on as Gunners boss for too long.

Former Arsenal and Manchester CIty defender Bacary Sagna speaks on France World Cup hope and Wenger’s future.

Sid Lowe explains what Real Madrid will be looking for in their managerial search, and the FC crew ponder whether Arsene Wenger is a good fit.
Arsene Wenger is not the frontrunner for the vacant Japan national team job, despite various reports, with Hajime Moriyasu set to be appointed next week.
Wenger left Arsenal in May after 22 years with the club and, due to his availability and successful 18-month spell in charge of Nagoya Grampus prior to heading to London, it was no surprise that the Frenchman’s name has been mentioned as a replacement for Akira Nishino, who will step down at the end of the month.
“It is true that there was a chat…

Fernando Torres aiming to put Sagan Tosu on world football’s map

Fernando Torres ends speculation of his next club as he announces he’ll be joining J.League side Sagan Tosu.
The career of Fernando Torres has come full circle. The Spanish striker fell in love with football from reading the legendary Japanese comic “Captain Tsubasa.” “I remember when I was a kid, we couldn’t find the signal really well on TV, but everyone in school was talking about this cartoon about football, from Japan,” Torres said back in 2012. “I started playing football because of this … that was the first contact I had with Japan.”
The last chapter of a football career that has seen spells with…

Tottenham could lose Son Heung-Min to Asian Games with South Korea

Sebastian Salazar and Herculez Gomez explain what it was like seeing Mexico fans embrace South Korea during El Tri’s 3-0 defeat against Sweden.
South Korea have named Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-Min in their squad for the 2018 Asian Games to be held in Indonesia from Aug. 14 to Sept. 1 meaning he could miss opening month of the Premier League season.
Son is one of three overage players named in the 20-man under-23 squad along with goalkeeper Cho Hyun-Woo and Japan-based striker Hwang Ui-Jo.
However, as the tournament does not take place in an international match window, Tottenham are under no obligations to release the player…

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