Features
[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Salvatore Schillaci, a Jubilo Iwata and World Cup Great, Dies at 59
Italian star Salvatore Schillaci made his mark as the top scorer at the 1990 FIFA World Cup and brought star power to Jubilo Iwata in the J.League's infancy.
Salvatore Schillaci, a prolific scorer in the J.League's early years and the Golden Boot Award recipient at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, died on Wednesday, September 18. He was 59.
In 2022, Schillaci was diagnosed with colon cancer.
A native of Palermo, Sicily, the Italian soccer star, known by his popular nickname "Toto," began his professional career at Messina in 1982 and later played for Serie A heavyweights Juventus and Inter Milan before joining Jubilo Iwata in 1994. Schillaci played his final game for the J.League club in 1997.
He had 56 goals in 78 J.League matches. This included 31 in 34 matches in 1995.
Tributes to Salvatore Schillaci
Numerous tributes to Schillaci were posted on the internet and by media outlets spanning the globe.
FIFA, soccer's global governing body, described Schillaci on its website as Italy's "unlikely" hero at the 1990 World Cup, which was held in his homeland.
In the FIFA.com tribute to Schillaci, his success and persona at the 1990 World Cup were eloquently described. A key passage: "The image of the Sicilian, with his wild, fiery eyes and face full of determination and emotion as he turned away to celebrate yet another goal, is remembered as one of the tournament's most enduring images."
The article also noted, "Schillaci had an innate goalscoring instinct and a strong desire to reach the top. Although he was not the tallest or most physically imposing player, he more than made up for this with his speed, sense of positioning, opportunism and sheer determination."
Schillaci finished the 1990 World Cup as the top overall scorer with six goals, helping Italy earn a third-place finish. He also claimed the Golden Ball Award as the tournament's top player.
Remembering Salvatore Schillaci
Former Jubilo teammate Masashi Nakayama said he was saddened by the news of Schillaci's death.
"I only have a sense of frustration after my partner's departure came too early," said Nakayama, now the manager of J.League third-division club Azul Claro Numazu, according to Kyodo News.
Schillaci made a lasting impression on Nakayama.
"His way as a striker, in how to set one's mind and go after the goal, is etched firmly within me still," Nakayama said.
At Juventus, Schillaci appeared in the Serie A for the first time in 1989 following a 23-goal effort in the previous season for Messina in the Italian second division.
With greater exposure in Serie A playing in front of bigger crowds in larger stadiums, Schillaci became a fan favorite.
"We immediately fell in love with Toto," Juventus said in a statement. "His desire, his story, his being so wonderfully passionate, and it showed in every game he played."
Heartfelt tributes to Schillaci, who retired in Palermo after his playing days and established a youth soccer academy in his hometown, captured the essence of his beloved place in the sport.
The 173-centimeter's athleticism and endearing personality made him a fan favorite in his homeland and a sizable following in J.League venues across Japan.
Salvatore Schillaci Explains His Mindset as a Player
In a 2014 interview, Schillaci explained how he approached the game, responding to a question from Chris Hunt of fourfourtwo.com. The inquiry centered on what it meant to him to be named a starter for the first time in the World Cup ― Italy's third match of the 1990 tournament.
"I characteristically never take anything for granted. For me, each game is a lottery," Schillaci said in the interview. "When the match is over I treasure the moments of the day, and then I forget about it and move on. That is my strength and that allows me to go forward."
As J.League fans experienced in the 1990s, Schillaci was a captivating performer on the pitch.
And decades after his final game in his homeland, Serie A President Lorenzo Casini eloquently summed up Salvatore Schillaci's special place in the annals of soccer in Italy and beyond.
"He was a champion who lit up the 'magic nights' of Italia 90," Casini said in a statement. "His desire to reach the top levels in soccer has been and will remain a source of inspiration for so many youngsters pursuing their dream of playing in Serie A."
Japan Advances to the Women's U-20 World Cup Final
With a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday, September 18, Japan booked a spot in the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia.
Midfielder Manaka Matsukubo scored in the 55th and the 83rd minute for the Japanese squad, also known as the Young Nadeshiko, in Cali.
Up next: Japan faces North Korea in the tournament final on Sunday, September 22 in Bogota.
"We know the final will be a very tough match," Japan coach Michihisa Kano said, according to FIFA.com. "Our strength lies in attacking, so we will try to take the initiative in the final."
Although fatigue has been a factor in the tournament for Japan, Matsukubo is determined to win the World Cup.
"I think everyone is tired, but we have only one game left that we can play together with this squad, so the tiredness doesn't mean anything," she was quoted as saying by FIFA.com. "Everyone will run for the team, and we definitely want to win."
Japan won the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and was the runner-up in 2022. North Korea captured the title in 2006 and 2016.
Golf
Iwai Finishes Strong to Win 3rd Title of the Season
Akie Iwai captured her third title of the JLPGA Tour season on Sunday, September 15, finishing with a 16-under 200 in the 55th Sumitomo Life Vitality Ladies Tokai Classic.
Iwai, 22, beat Paris Olympian Miyuu Yamashita, the two-time reigning JLPGA champion, by one stroke. She carded an 8-under 64 in the final round after shooting a 66 in the second round and a 70 in the opening round at Shin Minami Aichi Country Club in Mihama, Aichi Prefecture.
In 2023, Iwai also won this tournament, shooting a 15-under 201.
This time, Yamashita was the leader heading into the final round at 12-under 132. Iwai sat in third place, four strokes back at 8-under 136.
With that in mind, Iwai said she didn't put pressure on herself to emerge victorious.
"I thought, 'I don't need to think about winning,' " Iwai told reporters after the final round."
She added, "This week, I decided to take it easy."
However, she shot her best round of the tourney and still pulled it off.
With back-to-back titles in the Sumitomo Life Vitality Ladies Tokai Classic, the Saitama Prefecture native admitted she's enamored with playing at Shin Minami Aichi Country Club.
"I think I have good chemistry with the course," Iwai told reporters. "The scenery is beautiful, especially the 18th hole. I like the view when I hit a tee shot straight toward the green where the gallery is gathered."
RELATED:
Basketball
Former NBA player Watanabe Makes B.League Preseason Debut
Yuta Watanabe made his much-anticipated B.League debut for the Chiba Jets in a preseason game against the Sunrockers Shibuya on Sunday, September 15 at LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY.
Reacting to the atmosphere at the new arena, where fans erupted in applause when he was introduced before the game, Watanabe said he "enjoyed it."
"I'm happy to play in a great arena and with a great crowd," the former NBA forward told reporters.
Watanabe had seven points and two rebounds in 15 minutes in the Jets' 72-65 win over the Sunrockers before almost 8,000 spectators.
A day later, the Jets beat the Korean Basketball League's Seoul SK Knights 95-82 at the same venue. Watanabe had eight points, four rebounds and one assist in 15 minutes.
After the game against Seoul, Watanabe was asked how he hopes the Jets play during the 2024-25 season. His response provided an interesting perspective.
"Since we are playing for a large audience, I think we need to play in a way that people can enjoy watching, both as individuals and as a team," Watanabe told reporters.
"I think that hard work and preparation are necessary for people to enjoy watching us play, so I would like to correct the points where we did not start the game well today and yesterday, and play 40 minutes of basketball so that people will want to watch the next game as well."
RELATED:
Tennis
Osaka Reveals Plans to Kick off 2025 Tennis Season
Naomi Osaka will usher in the new year playing tennis in New Zealand.
Osaka plans to compete in the ASB Tennis Classic, whose main draw begins on December 30, 2024 and runs through January 5, tournament organizers announced on Thursday, September 17.
Now ranked 76th in the world after launching her comeback in 2024 after the birth of her daughter Shai, Osaka has not competed at the ASB Tennis Classic since 2017.
Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin expressed enthusiasm about Osaka's return to New Zealand.
"Naomi is one of the premier players in tennis with an exciting and hard-hitting game," Lamperin said, according to The Associated Press. "It is always challenging to return to this sport after extensive time away but Naomi has shown some extremely promising form."
Lamperin added, "She has an immensely powerful game and plays an exciting brand of tennis. Many believe Naomi will re-emerge at the top of the sport and that journey for the 2025 season will start here in Auckland."
As an athlete and as a world traveler, Osaka stated that returning to New Zealand is something she's eager to do.
"I am looking forward to just embracing the nature of Auckland and of course playing in a tournament that I have not played in for a long time," she said, according to a WTA Tour news report.
Added Osaka, "I am excited to return to Auckland. When I was there last time I was fortunate to go on a helicopter tour and explore the beaches which I thought were really beautiful. My other memory is that Auckland has the best salmon."
Badminton
Naraoka, Miyazaki to Represent Japan in Singles Finals at China Open
Sixth-seeded Kodai Naraoka advanced to the men's singles final at the BWF China Open, beating Japanese compatriot Koki Watanabe 21-18, 14-21, 21-12 on Saturday, September 21 in Changzhou, China.
Naraoka will face unseeded Hongyang Weng of China in Sunday's final.
In women's singles, Tomoka Miyazaki, the 2022 world junior champion, also reached the championship round by beating veteran star Akane Yamaguchi 22-20, 21-15.
On Sunday, the 18-year-old Miyazaki, who's ranked 21st in the world, is set to face third-seeded Zhiyi Wang of China.
Baseball
Ohtani Mashes 52nd Homer, Steals 52nd Base
A day after achieving the unprecedented 50-homer and 50-steal milestone, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani provided more thrills for baseball fans on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
On Friday, September 20, Ohtani smacked a two-run homer, his National League-leading 52nd of the season, in the fifth inning against the visiting Colorado Rockies.
Ohtani also stole a base in the seventh after an infield single.
The Dodgers beat the Rockies 6-4.
For Ohtani, the home fans' warm support at Dodger Stadium brought him pleasure.
"It was wonderful. That made me really happy, and I was moved," Ohtani was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "Just being on the receiving end of something like this in my first season at the club makes me happy."
Quotes of the Week
"We would like to express our sincere congratulations. He has already achieved numerous feats and broken new ground. We look forward to seeing him continue to excel in the future."
―Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi reacting to the news of Shohei Ohtani becoming the first player in MLB history to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season on September 19.
"He gets the milestones in the course of this incredible game and the game now is the signature game of his still ongoing career. … This game is the personification of who he is and what he does and it includes the milestones."
―Baseball Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Costas speaking on MLB Network about Ohtani's 6-for-6 performance, including three homers and two steals, on September 19.
RELATED:
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.