SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) faced the Chinese National Team on September 5th (Thursday) at Saitama Stadium 2002 in the first match of Group C in the FIFA World Cup 26 Asia Final Qualifiers (third round), winning overwhelmingly with a score of 7-0. The team made a great start towards their goal of participating in the tournament for the eighth consecutive time.
After goals from Wataru Endo (Liverpool FC) and Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion FC) in the first half, Takumi Minamino (AS Monaco), who was named Player of the Match, scored two goals in the second half. Junya Ito (Stade de Reims), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), and Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) also each scored one goal.
Currently ranked 18th by FIFA, Japan had a bitter experience in the past two tournaments where they struggled to earn points in their opening matches of the final qualifiers. However, this time, they completely dominated the match against 87th-ranked China with aggressive play on both offense and defense, securing all three points.
Japan deployed a 3-6-1 formation, with goalkeeper Seiya Suzuki (Parma Calcio), and a back line consisting of Ko Itakura (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truidense VV), and Koki Machida (Union Saint-Gilloise). Wataru Endo and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting CP) played as defensive midfielders, with Ritsu Doan (SC Freiburg) and Mitoma on the wings. Up front, Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord) played centrally, flanked by Kubo and Minamino in a line just behind.
From the beginning of the match, Japan actively attacked through the left side led by Mitoma, and in the 12th minute of the first half, they converted their first corner kick into a goal. Kubo’s left-side corner found Endo at the near post, who headed it in for the opener.
China, aiming for their first participation in the tournament since 2002, set up a solid defense with a 4-4-2 block under head coach Branco Ivankovic, who previously led Oman to a surprise victory over Japan in the last tournament. Their midfielders, Wenlong She and Haoyang Shu, attempted to break through from the sides. However, Japan quickly responded with swift defensive transitions, preventing China from playing their game.
For most of the match, Japan pushed China back into their own half, with Doan and Kubo creating coordinated attacks on the right flank, along with Minamino, Kubo, and Morita creating scoring opportunities.
The second goal came just before the end of the first half. Doan delivered a cross from the right, and Mitoma, who had positioned himself at the far post, headed it in, taking Japan into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
Looking to mount a comeback, China switched to a three-back formation at the start of the second half to strengthen their midfield.
However, this change allowed players, including Minamino, to move more freely, and those substituted in the second half thrived. Japan continued to press the attack. In the 52nd minute, after exchanging passes with Mitoma on the left, Minamino cut into the penalty area, dodging the advancing Chinese defenders and struck with his right foot to make it 3-0. Just six minutes later, Machida sent a vertical pass to Ueda, who accelerated instantly, receiving the pass and scoring to deny China any chance of a comeback.
China also made changes in the 60th minute, bringing in Brazilian forward Alan and forward Fernandinho to replace three attacking players, aiming to press for a goal with long balls. However, Japan maintained a high defensive awareness and did not allow China to create any chances.
Japan continued to pile on the attack, inserting Ito and Maeda in the 63rd minute, and then in the 71st minute, they brought on Ao Tanaka (Leeds United FC) and Yuki Takai (Kawasaki Frontale) for added firepower. In the 77th minute, Ito, receiving a pass from Kubo, struck with his left foot into the left side of the goal to make it 5-0, leading the crowd of 52,398 to chant his name in support.
In the 87th minute, Ito sent a cross from the right that assisted Maeda’s header at the far post for a goal. In the dying moments of stoppage time, Ito cut into the left side of the penalty area and passed a back ball to Kubo, who scored the team’s seventh goal, wrapping up the match.
This marked the first time Japan has achieved a 7-goal victory in the Asian final qualifiers, surpassing their previous record of six goals in matches against Uzbekistan (6-3) in September 1997 and Jordan (6-0) in June 2012.
In other Group C matches, Bahrain, which Japan will face next in an away game, won 1-0 against Australia, while Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Indonesia at home.
As a result, after the first match, Japan is tied with Bahrain on three points but leads the group C table on goal difference, followed by Saudi Arabia and Indonesia with one point each, and Australia and China without any points.
In Group A, Qatar, the winner of the AFC Asian Cup 2023, lost 1-3 at home to the UAE and sits at the bottom, while the UAE started at the top. Iran and Uzbekistan both won their matches at home against Kyrgyzstan and North Korea respectively, each with a score of 1-0. In Group B, Iraq leads with a 1-0 victory over Oman, while Jordan and South Korea drew 1-1 and 0-0 with Kuwait and Palestine at home respectively.
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, expanding the number of teams from 32 to 48, with Asia increasing its slots from 4.5 to 8.5. The Asian final qualifiers will continue until June next year, with six teams divided into three groups, with the top two from each group earning automatic spots in the World Cup, while the third and fourth place teams will aim for a spot through Asian playoffs or FIFA playoff tournaments.
Japan’s next match is against Bahrain on September 10 (Tuesday, September 11 in Japan time) away from home.
Comments from Coaches and Players
Hajime Moriyasu, Head Coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
I believe the players recognized the importance and difficulty of the first match of the Asian final qualifiers and prepared well, resulting in this outcome. Including the staff, we aimed for a good start, and through two preparation periods and training sessions, we addressed what we needed to do sincerely. We reflected on our previous shortcomings and worked to ensure that we would not repeat the same mistakes, discussing as a team how to achieve our offensive and defensive strategies during meetings and confirming our tasks specifically in the two training sessions before the match.
Regarding the three-back formation, we continued what we had been practicing since June, and I utilized players while monitoring their condition and readiness. I expected a closely contested match, and while the scoreline opened up, it’s undeniable that the important first goal from a set piece tilted the game in our favor. We will continue to prepare thoroughly.
The support of many fans at Saitama Stadium directly contributed to our victory. I anticipate further tough battles ahead, but as a united team, we intend to give our all and deliver victories to our supporters. I ask for the continued support and collaboration from our fans.
DF #3 Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truidense VV/Belgium)
As a result, we have made a fantastic start, and I believe our attitude and preparation for this match have clearly led to this result. There have been failures in the opening of past final qualifiers, so all the players understood they must not repeat the same mistakes. We were able to prepare with a good sense of tension, entering the match with high concentration, and I think we were able to carry out our intended attacks without letting our guard down until the end. One of my tasks today was to determine how to draw in the opponent and initiate our attacks, and I feel I was able to do that while constantly observing the opponent. Having played this match, I want to communicate with everyone and continue to improve from here.
MF/FW #6 Wataru Endo (Liverpool FC/England)
We had confidence that if we put our strength on display, we could win, so we prepared as usual without putting too much thought into the last tournament. I felt good about being able to prepare in a relaxed yet tense state. My goal came from a set piece that we had prepared for. After that, I thought we needed to move the ball well and keep scoring. We managed to stay focused throughout the match and held the opponent to zero goals. I knew that scoring one goal would boost our momentum. There were also chances in the first half, so I was eager to add another goal; I think we capitalized efficiently on the space that opened up when the opponent pressed forward, leading to our second goal as a result of our collective positive decision-making as a team.
MF/FW #7 Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion FC/England)
I didn’t expect the opponent to press from the front, so I thought we could connect the ball. I thought we needed ideas when the opponent pulled back in our attack, but we did prepare to consider various aspects, like goal kicks, so I feel we were ready for future matches. The goal by header was a situation where I had to score due to the quality of the players. I believe my physical condition has improved, and I’m conscious of what my club coach has mentioned this season; I think that came through in today’s match. The strength of the current team is that various players can score goals. A tough battle lies ahead from here, so I want to continue winning.
MF/FW #8 Takumi Minamino (AS Monaco/France)
In the last tournament’s final qualifiers, we lost in the first match, and I shared with other players how difficult that made things later on. In that context, I believe we maintained good game management from the start to the end of the 90 minutes. Personally, I smoothly entered the match, and against a well-structured opponent in the first half, we rely on our many technically skilled players to move smartly and fill spaces while being aware of switching quickly after losing the ball. I felt confident that there would be chances in the first half, and that came to fruition in the second half thanks to my teammates. Overall, I’m pleased with my performance today. China has physically and technically gifted players, so we were very cautious about that, but they posed a problematic threat for us from long balls and one-on-one situations. As we piled up the goals, we were able to take control of the match, but I understand that their performance will definitely be different at home, so I want to remain focused and do my best in the next game.
MF/FW #14 Junya Ito (Stade de Reims/France)
My goal was a bit fortunate as it deflected off an opponent, but I’m glad I scored. (Receiving cheers and calls from the crowd) lifted my motivation and made me happy. I truly wanted to score a goal. When I thought about celebrating the goal, I found everyone around me, and it was great that all the bench members and staff celebrated with me. Since a good flow was established before I came in, I was determined not to miss the opportunity and successfully entered the match. I believe we synchronized well, and the assist on my cross was by design; I anticipated that Maeda would be in that position. (For the assist to Kubo) I initially thought to shoot myself, but considering the chance of it hitting an opponent, I decided to drop it off to Kubo. The assist was fortunate. There have been frustrating times leading up to this, but I managed well with my club and communicated effectively with the national team, determining to contribute solidly from the final qualifiers. I hope to maintain that standard.
Branco Ivankovic, Head Coach of China National Team
Firstly, I would like to congratulate Japan on their victory. As I said at the pre-match press conference, it became a very tough match. Japan is not only the top in Asia but also a world-class team. It was a tough night for the opposing coach. We have been practicing to strengthen our defense, but we ended up conceding a lot of goals. I want to discuss with the team what we can learn from this game and prepare for the next match.
FIFA World Cup 26 Asia Final Qualifiers (Third Round)
September 5, 2024 (Thursday) 19:35 kick-off (planned) vs. China National Team
Venue: Saitama/Saitama Stadium 2002
For tournament information, click here