Japan will play Mozambique in a hastily-arranged final pre-World Cup friendly tomorrow as Takeshi Okada’s side seek a much-needed confidence boost ahead of Monday’s opener against Cameroon.

FABIO CAPELLO has confirmed he knows the names of the players who will carry England’s World Cup hopes in South Africa – and they are the same ones he had in mind when he arrived in Austria a fortnight ago.

MARK TEIXEIRA and Hideki Matsui shook the New York Yankees from their slumber and sent the World Series to tonight’s third game in Philadelphia tied at 1-1.

Japanese officials today said they have extended an order to keep close surveillance on the doomsday sect that released nerve gas in Tokyo’s subway system a decade ago, killing 12 people.

HIDEKI MATSUI smashed a three-run homer in the first inning and Andy Pettitte tossed eight scoreless innings as the New York Yankees evened the World Series at a game apiece with a 6-1 triumph over the Florida Marlins on Sunday night.

Hideki Matsui’s three-run homer in the first inning set the tone and Andy Pettitte tossed eight scoreless innings as the New York Yankees evened the World Series at one game apiece with a 6-1 triumph over the Florida Marlins.

Japan gave Ireland Under-21 team the runaround in Nimes today, opening their Toulon Festival campaign with an eye-catching performance and a 2-0 victory.