Japan rout Myanmar to advance to third round

CHIBA: Yuya Osako scored five goals as Japan routed Myanmar 10-0 to become the first team in Asia to secure a place in the third round of World Cup qualifying.

Takumi Minamino’s brace for Japan, and a goal each from Hidemasa Morita, Daichi Kamada and Ko Itakura, gave a weakened Myanmar their heaviest-ever defeat.

Myanmar, who were missing several stars who had refused to play in protest at February’s military coup, hadn’t played an international match in 18 months because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The result was beyond doubt quickly.

Osako scored three goals in the first half hour and another two in the second half at Fukuda Denshi Arena, which was closed to fans because of restrictions in place because of the coronavirus.

“We’ve shown that aggressive attitude, to go for another goal even after the result was beyond doubt, and also not slacking off to keep a clean sheet,” head coach Hajime Moriyasu said, according to the Kyodo news agency.

“They were focused on playing at a high standard.”

Japan have the best record of all teams in the second round of Asian qualification, with 37 goals and none conceded in their six wins in Group F.

They move to the next stage, scheduled to start in September, with two matches to spare.

China, who play Guam today, still have much work to do.

China have collected just seven points in Group A after four games and sit in second place, eight points behind leaders Syria though they have a match in hand.

As only the group winners and four of the eight runners-up progress to the third round, China may need to win all four of their remaining games with Maldives, the Philippines and Syria to come after Guam.