SOCCER Takeshi Okada, who headed Japan’s national soccer team in the 1998 World Cup in France, is set to return as manager to replace ailing Ivica Osim, Japan Football Association (JFA) officials have said. [MAINICHI]

SOCCER Former Japan national coach Takeshi Okada appears to be the prime candidate to replace current manager Ivica Osim, who is still unconscious in intensive care after suffering a serious stroke, soccer sources said Tuesday. [KYODO]

SOCCER Japan will set off on a quest to appear in its fourth consecutive World Cup finals on Feb. 6 at home against Thailand after the preliminary draw in Durban, South Africa, on Sunday. [YOMIURI]

SUMO Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu, who was suspended from the previous two tournaments, ended his punishment on Sunday with the conclusion of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. [KYODO]

SOCCER J-League first-division club Gamba Osaka said Saturday they have terminated the contract of Magno Alves after the Brazilian striker failed to show up for training earlier this week. [KYODO]

BASEBALL J.R. Sakuragi broke loose for 22 points and eight boards as the Aisin Sea Horses downed Toyota 77-74 on Friday in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, to move into a tie with the two-time defending champion Alvark atop the JBL standings. [YOMIURI]

SOCCER The Japan Football Association will begin its search for a replacement of national team coach Ivica Osim only after obtaining his family’s consent, JFA chief Saburo Kawabuchi said Tuesday. [KYODO]

SUMO Ozeki Chiyotaikai lost his first bout at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, but kept the lead as defending champion Hakuho suffered a big upset to compatriot Ama, falling to 6-2. [ASAHI]

SOCCER Japan national coach Ivica Osim has gotten past the most critical stage on his way to recovery after suffering a serious stroke, Japan Football Association General Secretary Kozo Tashima said Monday. [KYODO]

BASEBALL The Softbank Hawks won the right to negotiate a deal with Toyo University right-hander Shota Oba in the first round of Japanese baseball’s amateur draft on Monday. [KYODO]

SPORTS The Tokyo metropolitan government and Tokyo 2016 Olympic Games Bid Committee plan to conduct an opinion poll to establish whether there is support for hosting the 2016 Olympics in the city, officials said. [YOMIURI]

SPORTS Olympic champion Mizuki Noguchi won the Tokyo International Women’s Marathon on Sunday, moving a step closer to qualifying for the Beijing Olympics. [MAINICHI]

SOCCER Japan national soccer coach Ivica Osim is showing signs of improvement after suffering a serious stroke, Japan Football Association General Secretary Kozo Tashima said Sunday. [KYODO]

SOCCER Shimizu S-Pulse burst Urawa Reds’ bubble and helped set up a dramatic climax to the season after holding the newly crowned kings of Asia to a 0-0 draw in the J-League on Sunday. [KYODO]

SUMO Ozeki Chiyotaikai overpowered Kakuryu on Saturday to remain in sole possession of the lead at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. [MAINICHI]

SOCCER Japan’s star players expressed shock but hope Saturday that national team coach Ivica Osim would recover after suffering a serious strike. [AFP]

SUMO Ozeki Chiyotaikai made mincemeat of rank-and-filer Kakuryu Saturday to remain undefeated in sole possession of the lead while Mongolian grand champion Hakuho stayed hot in pursuit at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. [KYODO]

SOCCER Japan national team coach Ivica Osim was taken to a hospital in Chiba Prefecture after suffering a stroke on Friday, and is currently in intensive care, the Japan Soccer Association said.

SOCCER J-League champions Urawa Reds were crowned kings of Asia on Wednesday after a 2-0 win over Iran’s Sepahan in the second leg of the Asian Champions League final. [KYODO]

SOCCER Victory for the Urawa Reds in tonight’s Asian Champions League final will have positive ramifications for the game across Asia, manager Holger Osieck boldly declared Tuesday. [ASAHI]