In a commanding performance away from home, Japan triumphed 3-1 against China, further solidifying their position at the top of Group C and taking a significant step towards securing their place in the 2026 World Cup. The victory in China not only extended Japan’s unbeaten run in the third qualifying round of the Asia region but also brought them within touching distance of booking their World Cup ticket for the seventh consecutive time.
A Confident Approach and Strategic Changes
Japan entered the match with high confidence, knowing that a win would virtually guarantee their spot in the World Cup. Coach Hajime Moriyasu made strategic adjustments to the squad, introducing four changes to keep the team's momentum thriving. Among these changes, Takefusa Kubo replaced established star Kaoru Mitoma. Kubo's performance justified the coach's decision, earning plaudits for his decisive role in Japan's victory.
The action began to unfold in the 39th minute when Kubo’s precise corner kick found Ryotaro Ogawa, who executed a superbly timed header to inaugurate the scoring for Japan. Building on this success, Japan doubled their lead just before half-time. In the last moments of injury time, centre-back Ko Itakura capitalised on a set-piece opportunity to send the visitors into the break with a two-goal cushion.
China's Brief Resurgence and Japan's Poise
China, eager to claw back into the match, launched the second half with renewed vigour. Their determination paid dividends in the 48th minute when forward Lin Liangming executed a well-placed shot to narrow the gap to 1-2, offering the home side a glimmer of hope. However, this hope was short-lived. Just six minutes later, Japan reasserted their dominance. Ogawa, demonstrating his clinical finishing ability, netted his second goal of the match after a skilful assist from Junya Ito, restoring Japan’s two-goal advantage at 3-1.
With a comfortable lead established, Japan tactically shifted gears, choosing to manage the game with a slower pace and focusing on maintaining their defensive solidity. Despite China’s efforts to mount a comeback, they were unable to penetrate Japan’s well-organised back line, leaving the scoreboard unchanged at the final whistle.
Japan's Unyielding Form and Future Prospects
The victory over China marks Japan's six-match unbeaten streak in the qualifying campaign, underscoring their consistent performance and tactical astuteness under coach Moriyasu. With 16 points, Japan sits firmly atop Group C, poised to secure their World Cup berth with just one more point required.
For China, the defeat is a setback in their qualification quest, placing them in a challenging position. With only 6 points from 6 matches, China shares the same points tally as Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, but now languishes in fifth place due to an inferior goal difference. This leaves the Chinese team with little margin for error in the remaining fixtures if they are to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Looking Ahead
With Japan on the brink of qualification, their focus will likely shift towards refining their play and experimenting with different tactical setups in the remaining matches to prepare for the global stage. Coach Moriyasu's squad depth and versatility provide an excellent foundation for further development as the tournament approaches.
Meanwhile, China must regroup and strategize for the upcoming fixtures, knowing that each match is crucial in their pursuit of qualification. The pressure is mounting on coach Li Tie and his team to deliver results and climb the group standings.
Japan's decisive win reinforces their status as a formidable force in Asian football, while the battle for the remaining qualification spots intensifies. As the World Cup qualifiers continue, fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters and the unfolding drama of the race to secure a place in the world’s most prestigious football tournament.