- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
- Joshua bout only fight left for beaten Fury says promoter Hearn
- Odermatt stays hot to break Swiss World Cup wins record
- Neville says Rashford's career at Man Utd nearing 'inevitable ending'
- Syria's new leader vows not to negatively interfere in Lebanon
- Germany pledges security inquest after Christmas market attack
- Putin vows 'destruction' on Ukraine after Kazan drone attack
- Understated Usyk seeks recognition among boxing legends
- France awaits appointment of new government
New Japan coach Nielsen targets Women's World Cup glory
New coach Nils Nielsen declared Wednesday that Japan can win the Women's World Cup for a second time and vowed to restore the 2011 champions to their former glories.
The 53-year-old Dane becomes Japan's first foreign-born women's coach and succeeds Futoshi Ikeda, who left at the end of his contract in August.
Nielsen led Denmark to the 2017 European Championship final and takes over a Japan team that has not reached a World Cup or Olympic semi-final since 2015.
He said he was inspired by Japan's 2011 World Cup win and sees no reason why they cannot repeat the achievement under his leadership.
"We want to get Japan back on top and there are many teams that want to go there, but the talent pool in Japan actually makes it possible," he told reporters in Tokyo.
"We will do the hard work and dedication, all of us will do everything we can to get it done."
The Greenland-born Nielsen previously served as Manchester City's women's team technical director after spells in charge of the Denmark and Switzerland national teams.
He said Japan will "always be contenders for titles" and pledged to help them become more than just dangerous dark horses.
Japan lost in the quarter-finals of both last year's World Cup and this summer's Paris Olympics.
"In order to actually get there and lift the trophies -- and make no mistake about it, that is why I'm here -- we will do everything we can to be successful and win trophies for Japan," he said.
"It needs to be a team effort. It's not about one person, it's not about me, but I will lead the process."
Nielsen joked that there were more reporters at his first press conference in Tokyo than the entire population of his tiny home village in frozen Greenland.
He said he jumped at the chance to coach Japan after watching them become the first Asian team to lift the Women's World Cup in 2011.
"I think managing to create a playing style and a culture around the team that actually fits perfectly with the personalities of the Japanese women, it must have been very difficult to do, but that was what happened," he said.
"It was not only me but all across the world it was something everybody noticed and got inspired from."
L.Harper--AMWN