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FG commits N1bn to modernise TVET curricula — Alausa • Joshua, Fury Fight May Hold In New York –Hearn • Army Moves Tactical Headquarters to Mangu, Launches Operation Hard Nut After 25 Killed in Bi Mper Attack • Saratani ya mlango wa kizazi yaongoza kwa vifo Tanzania • Alleged drug-trafficking: No more room for Tinubu to hide – Von Batten • Retired military officials protest in Abuja, demand pension adjustment • US Coast Guard lifts 12-year condition of entry on vessels from Nigeria • JUST IN: Gunfire erupts in Osogbo as hoodlums attack Adeleke’s convoy • High fuel costs push Niger farmers toward solar irrigation • BREAKING: Tinubu orders diversion of EFCC-recovered funds to student loan scheme • VIDEO: Adeleke forgives opponent, vows Osun won’t return to darkness • Waziri wa zamani wa Ukraine ataka uchaguzi vitani • Tinubu orders diversion of EFCC-recovered funds to student loan scheme • EPL: Mark Goldbridge predicts surprise title winners, top five places • FG urges Nigerians to dial 112 for medical emergencies, releases state numbers • Tinubu directs EFCC to channel seized funds, unclaimed dividends to NELFUND • Okoye: I Want To Give Everything For Udinese • Tanzania yaikabidhi DRC vifaa tiba vya Sh220 milioni kukabili Ebola • Inside August Meeting 2026: How Amstel Malta honoured Igbo heritage, created impact in Enugu • Saratani ya mlango wa kizazi yaongoza kwa vifo nchini • FG commits N1bn to modernise TVET curricula — Alausa • Joshua, Fury Fight May Hold In New York –Hearn • Army Moves Tactical Headquarters to Mangu, Launches Operation Hard Nut After 25 Killed in Bi Mper Attack • Saratani ya mlango wa kizazi yaongoza kwa vifo Tanzania • Alleged drug-trafficking: No more room for Tinubu to hide – Von Batten • Retired military officials protest in Abuja, demand pension adjustment • US Coast Guard lifts 12-year condition of entry on vessels from Nigeria • JUST IN: Gunfire erupts in Osogbo as hoodlums attack Adeleke’s convoy • High fuel costs push Niger farmers toward solar irrigation • BREAKING: Tinubu orders diversion of EFCC-recovered funds to student loan scheme • VIDEO: Adeleke forgives opponent, vows Osun won’t return to darkness • Waziri wa zamani wa Ukraine ataka uchaguzi vitani • Tinubu orders diversion of EFCC-recovered funds to student loan scheme • EPL: Mark Goldbridge predicts surprise title winners, top five places • FG urges Nigerians to dial 112 for medical emergencies, releases state numbers • Tinubu directs EFCC to channel seized funds, unclaimed dividends to NELFUND • Okoye: I Want To Give Everything For Udinese • Tanzania yaikabidhi DRC vifaa tiba vya Sh220 milioni kukabili Ebola • Inside August Meeting 2026: How Amstel Malta honoured Igbo heritage, created impact in Enugu • Saratani ya mlango wa kizazi yaongoza kwa vifo nchini

August 19, 2026|16:33

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Asia

Not just big in Japan: Zion Suzuki has what it takes to follow Emiliano Martínez

The Guardian Football about 2 hours 1 mins read

He is replacing a World Cup winner and is his country’s first Premier League keeper, but Villa’s new signing has already dealt with harder challenges

In November 2001, the first Japanese goalkeeper to play English league football conceded a goal within the first minute of his debut. Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi may have struggled for second-tier Portsmouth, conceding 21 times in his 12 games after being spotted by the then-director of football, Harry Redknapp, but he also produced some world-class saves and had glowing things to say about the Royal Mail.

Replaced by a 42-year-old Dave Beasant, Kawaguchi nevertheless remains a cult hero on the south coast as a standing ovation in his final game demonstrated. Despite going on to play 116 times for Japan, he never made the jump to the Premier League. Now though, finally, Japan has a number one in the top flight.

This article was sourced from an external publication.

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