The Japanese team celebrates its victory over China after a 2002 World Cup and AFC Asian Qualifier match between Japan and China at the Saitama Stadium in Saitama on Thursday.
0:23 JST, September 6, 2024
SAITAMA (Reuters) – Bahrain stunned Australia 1-0 after a late own goal from Harry Souttar, while Japan crushed China 7-0 and South Korea were held to a 0-0 draw by Palestine in the opening matches of Asia’s third round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday.
Japan, who are in Group C along with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, had no trouble with the clumsy Chinese team, who suffered a painful defeat at the Saitama Stadium.
Wataru Endo headed the home side ahead in the 12th minute and Kaoru Mitoma doubled the lead by nodding in a cross from Ritsu Doan in the closing stages of the first half.
Takumi Minamino scored twice in six minutes just after half-time to seal the score, but Hajime Moriyasu’s team held firm against the already heavily defeated Chinese.
Substitute Junya Ito took a shot in the fifth, but Jiang Guangtai managed to tip the shot past Wang Dalei, after which Daizen Maeda headed in the sixth with three minutes left.
Takefusa Kubo sealed the victory with his final kick of the match, firing his shot into the roof of the Chinese goal.
