Japan became the first team to secure their place in the knockout phase of the AFC U-23 Championship yesterday when goals from Musashi Suzuki, Shinya Yajima and a late Yuya Kubo brace secured a 4-0 Group B win over Thailand for Makoto Teguramori’s side.
Victory moves the Japanese onto six points from their opening two games after an earlier 1-0 success over DPR Korea and the London 2012 semi-finalists are assured of a place in the quarter-finals thanks to their better head-to-head record over their fellow east Asians.
Suzuki opened the scoring for a dominant Japan in the 27th minute before Yajima made it 2-0 four minutes into the second half while Thitiphan Punagjan missed a penalty five minutes later as Thailand pushed for a way back into the game. Kubo, on a substitute, added Japan’s third 15 minutes from time before scoring from the penalty spot in the 84th minute. “We are relieved to get the win and to score four goals in this game,” said Teguramori. “We made a lot of changes for this game and we were able to show the comprehensive ability of our team.
“Thailand played very well against Saudi Arabia in their first game so that’s why I decided to go into this second game with some other players. I expected that if we could control the first half, it would be in the second half where the game would be decided and it went as I expected.”
Teguramori made six changes to the team that won against DPR Korea but the introduction of so many new faces did little to upset the Japanese rhythm as Takuma Asano and Yuta Toyokawa both hit the Thai woodwork inside the opening nine minutes. The Thais managed to weather the initial storm, but Suzuki’s physical presence and pace was causing problems for the South East Asian side’s defence and the Albirex Niigata man went close in the 17th minute, sending his effort just over the bar.
Suzuki, though, made no mistake with his next opportunity as he gave Japan the lead. The 21-year-old controlled Wataru Endo’s lofted ball forward with his head before smashing his right-foot shot emphatically beyond Somporn Yos.
Four minutes after the restart the Japanese doubled their lead when Yajima headed in from close range after the Thai defence failed to clear.
But five minutes later Kiatisuk Senamuang’s team had the perfect opportunity to pull themselves back into the game when they were awarded a penalty after Thitipan was pushed over in the penalty area. Fortune failed to shine on Thitiphan, however, as the midfielder slipped as he took the spot kick, sending his effort onto the crossbar.
The introduction of Switzerland-based striker Kubo in the 71st minute strengthened Japan’s front line further and, with 15 minutes remaining he put the result beyond doubt when Somporn was unable to push his shot to safety, allowing the ball to loop into the goal.
And with six minutes to go Kubo converted from the penalty spot after Tanaboon Kesart had brought him down in the area to the put the seal on a fine Japanese performance.