On Tuesday 7 September, the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) faced the China PR National Team in their second match of the final round of the AFC Asian qualifiers (Road to Qatar) at Khalifa International Stadium (Doha). Japan earned their first win in the final round thanks to the goal scored by OSAKO Yuya (Vissel Kobe), making a step forward towards qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

Following their loss to Oman on Thursday 2, Japan spent their time recovering their conditions, both mentally and physically. Despite stumbling in the first match, Japan started off the second match with great aggression to take the initiative.

For this match against China PR, coach MORIYASU Hajime made four changes to their line-up, naming KUBO Takefusa (RCD Mallorca) and FURUHASHI Kyogo (Celtic FC) to their attacking third along with ITO Junya (KRC Genk) and Osako. In defence, TOMIYASU Takehiro (Arsenal) made his return to the line-up while MUROYA Sei (Hannover 96) started for the first time since the international friendly match against Serbia in June. .....

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