Japanese World Cup winner Homare Sawa beat out a strong field that included Brazilian Marta and Abby Wambach to win the FIFA Women's World Player of the year 2011.

Marta who was looking to win the award for a 6th consecutive time had to contend with a second place finish while Abby Wambach of the USA came in in third place.

Lionel Messi was voted World Player of the Year for the third year in a row with Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi a distant second and third respectively. Barcelona's Pep Guardiola won the manager of the year awrd having guided Barcelona to a unique double of La Liga and Champions League titles, Sir Alex ferguson who received an award for services to football was second and Jose Mourinho third in the Manager's list.

Kawasaki Frontale (川崎フロンターレ) is a Japanese football club currently campaigning in Division 1 of the J. League the top-tier of soccer in the country. Among the more popular and most successful soccer teams in Japan, Frontale is currently in 12th place in the J. League. On the club's books are Japan World Cup 2010 [.

And then there were three. Two familiar contenders, one plucky outsider and four league games are all that stand between Kashiwa Reysol, Gamba Osaka, Nagoya Grampus and the J. League title.
Autumn is especially beautiful across the Kantō Plain, when the deciduous leaves fall and a mellow sunlight light frames the back streets and alleys of one of the world's most populous regions.

With her group of five of them being first in the queue (pictured above), Japanese expatriate who gave her name as "A I" told this blogger they were here since 5.30am outside the ticketing booth of the Jalan Besar Stadium.
"Because we want to show our support to our fellow countrymen devastated by the recent earthquake back home in Japan.

From Nakata to Nagatomo: Japanese footballers in Serie A, Part.II is a post from: Just Football

With Asian Cup winner Yuto Nagatomo moving to European champions Inter in January we're taking a special look back at the history of Japanese footballers in Serie A on Just Football in a two-part special feature.

Japanese footballers in Serie A: A potted history (Part I) is a post from: Just Football

Yuto Nagatomo's transfer to European champions Internazionale caused quite the stir in Japan. Making his debut for Just Football, Adam Cobley assesses the history of Japanese footballers in Italy.

DOHA, Qatar — A dramatic last-minute goal from defender Masahiko Inoha saw 10-man Japan twice come from behind to snatch a 3-2 win over heartbroken hosts Qatar in their Asian Cup quarter-final on Friday. Inoha struck in the 90th minute at a nearly full Al Gharafa Stadium to keep alive Japan's bid for a fourth [.

By Dominic Vieira, writing from Lancaster

Asia is evolving into the fastest developing football continent as they're exporting dozens of young stars into Europe's most challenging leagues, hosting their second World Cup tournament in 2022 and China and India, the world's most populous countries have recently started investing heavily in the world's most watched sport.

Kashima Antlers have won the 2010 Emperor's Cup with a 2-1 win in the final against Shimuzu S-Pulse. The win means that the Antlers have won this competition for the second time in four years and fourth time overall.

Fellype Gabriel gave Kashima the lead after 26 minutes in the National Stadium, Tokyo, but Frode Johnsen, a two-goal hero in Shimuzu's semi-final win over Gamba Osaka, restored parity in the 59th minute.