Japanese forward Kazuyoshi Miura plans to extend his professional soccer career into his 40th season.

Miura, 57 plays for Atletico Suzuka in the Japan Football League (JFL) — the fourth tier of Japanese football — on loan from second-division side Yokohama FC. When he made his debut for Suzuka in July, he became the oldest player to play in the JFL.

Miura joined Suzuka a month earlier and says he plans to keep playing for them in the 2025 season. “I had a one-and-a-half-year contract (since the summer of 2024). I think it was a natural progression,” he said, via the Kyodo News press agency.

The Japanese soccer calendar runs from March to November and Miura will be 58 when the new season begins next year.

Known as ‘King Kazu’, Miura’s professional career began in 1986 with Brazilian club Santos and his lengthy career has included spells with Palmeiras, Coritiba, Genoa, Dinamo Zagreb, Vissel Kobe and Sydney FC. He previously spent time on loan with Suzuka in 2022 before joining Portuguese second-tier side Oliveirense in a temporary move in January 2023.

Miura was one of the first Japanese star footballers, being crowned Asian Football of the Year in 1992 and scoring 55 goals in 89 international appearances between 1990 and 2000, winning the Asian Cup in 1992 and the old Afro-Asian Cup of Nations the following year.

Miura has won 18 trophies across his career including four Japanese league titles with Tokyo Verdy and the top-flight of Croatian football with Dinamo Zagreb.

(Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Canada Soccer has parted ways with Bev Priestman. The decision to relieve Priestman of her coaching duties comes after an independent review was launche into her role in a drone surveillance scandal at this past summer’s Olympics in Paris. 

Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi were also relieved of duty as Canada Soccer released the findings of the investigation.

The women’s soccer team became embroiled in the scandal after New Zealand raised concerns about a drone flying near their practice area as the team prepared for soccer competition at the Olympic tournament. FIFA fined Canada Soccer $228,000 and docked six standings points from the team.

FIFA also suspended Priestman, Mander and Lombardi for a year. Despite the penalty, Canada was able to advance to the group. Germany eliminated Canada from the Olympic tournament in the quarterfinals. 

The investigation by attorney Sonia Regenbogen of the firm Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark found no evidence that Canadian players had viewed the drone footage. But it found that assistant coaches and other support staff “did not feel they could challenge the authority of the head coach.”

CANADIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE SAYS SPYING SCANDAL ‘COULD TARNISH’ WOMEN’S TOKYO GOLD MEDAL

Fox News Digital could not immediately reach Priestman for comment. Priestman led Canada to the gold medal at the Tokyo Games. The review found that no drones were used in Japan, but that two national team coaches engaged in improper surveillance “predating the 2024 Paris Olympics.”

Head coach of Canada Beverly Priestman gestures during Quarterfinals – 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup between Canada and Costa Rica at BMO Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.   (Omar Vega/Getty Images)

“The findings of the independent investigator reveal that the drone incident in Paris was a symptom of a past pattern of an unacceptable culture and insufficient oversight within the national teams,” Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said in a statement. 

“This is no longer part of our operations. In fact, the investigation findings strengthen our resolve to continue implementing changes that are needed to improve Canada Soccer, in all respects, and to do so with urgency. Even though the independent investigation has been concluded, there is more to be done to set things on a new course.”

Beverly Priestman, Head Coach reacts during the Women’s Gold Medal Match between Canada and Sweden on day fourteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at International Stadium Yokohama on August 06, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.  (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

The review additionally found that allegations suggesting the men’s team used drones to spy on an opponent at the Copa America were unfounded. However, it found “potential violations” by former Canada men’s coach John Herdman, who was not interviewed because of scheduling issues.

“Potential violations of the Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics by the former head coach of the Men’s National Team were identified,” Canada Soccer said in a summary of the investigation. “Pursuant to the Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code, a disciplinary process is being initiated to adjudicate these potential violations.”

Herdman left Canada Soccer last year and is currently the coach of Toronto FC of Major League Soccer.

“The organization will thoroughly review and process the report’s findings over the coming days. Both MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment) and Toronto FC will reserve any further comment until that review process has been completed,” Toronto FC said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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DeShaun Foster acknowledged that both of the game balls he’s been given this season to commemorate coaching firsts could have gone to someone equally worthy.

His kicker.

That’s how valuable Mateen Bhaghani has been in his first season at UCLA.

The transfer from California made a game-winner against Hawaii that represented Foster’s first coaching victory (earning him a game ball from athletic director Martin Jarmond) and converted a career-long 57-yarder against Iowa last Friday to help give Foster his first home victory (and a second game ball from his boss).

“I’m glad we got him from that other school up the road,” Foster said Tuesday.

Bhaghani’s consistency in making 14 of 17 field-goal attempts this season has done more than put the sophomore in the conversation to join Norm Johnson, John Lee, Chris Sailer, Justin Medlock and Ka’imi Fairbairn as one of the Bruins’ all-time great kickers; it has also earned him the nickname “Money Bhags” from special teams coordinator Kodi Whitfield.

“Super cool,” Bhaghani said. “I’ve been enjoying it.”

Bhaghani’s 57-yarder topped the 54-yarder he made earlier this season against Oregon and was the second-longest field goal in school history, trailing only Fairbairn’s 60-yarder against Cal in 2015.

Foster said he was confident in Bhaghani’s ability to connect on the long field goal based on the lack of wind at the Rose Bowl and the way Bhaghani had been booming kicks in pregame warmups. So how far does Foster think Bhaghani’s range might extend to?

“I think 60 might be it,” Foster said. “He’s pretty consistent — he thinks he can hit 60. That’s what he tells me.”

Bhaghani said his range extended to 65 yards in practice and he’d be willing to kick from wherever he was given an opportunity in a game.

The key to consistency, Bhaghani said, is keeping the same routine for every kick. He wants his mind to be clear and to keep the same form on the snap and the hold.

That could be tricky Friday evening given there’s a chance of rain when the resurgent Bruins (4-5 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) face Washington (5-5, 3-4) at Husky Stadium in Seattle. Foster said his specialists have practiced with wet balls in preparation for the conditions they might encounter.

“I’m honestly not too concerned about it,” Bhaghani said. “I’ve played in some wet conditions last year and we’ve been practicing with wet balls and stuff like that. So feeling confident, feeling good.”

Bhaghani holds an appreciation for the kickers who have come before him at UCLA, recalling Fairbairn’s school record from memory. He also credited former UCLA kicker J.J. Molson — who happened to be kicking 50-yarders on the Bruins’ practice field in hopes of catching on with an NFL team as Bhaghani spoke with reporters — for giving him advice.

Being of Pakistani descent, Bhaghani said he wanted to be a trailblazer for others like him with an interest in football. Several kids have reached out on social media to say it’s nice to see someone like themselves do so well on such a big stage.

“I definitely want to show kids of my skin color and my race,” Bhaghani said, “that anything’s possible.”

Etc.

Foster said left tackle Niki Prongos, who departed the game against Iowa because of an unspecified injury, would likely miss the game against Washington but could return for the Bruins’ rivalry game against USC on Nov. 23. … Redshirt freshman wide receiver Carter Shaw is out for the season because of an unspecified injury, Foster said. … Linebacker Carson Schwesinger is one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, which goes to the top college football player who started his career as a walk-on. Schwesinger was also selected the Big Ten’s defensive player of the week after making two interceptions against Iowa. Foster closed his session with reporters by lobbying for them to help put Schwesinger on as many postseason awards ballots as possible.