On Thursday 27 January, the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) faced the China PR National Team at Saitama Stadium 2002 in their seventh match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ AFC Asian Qualifiers (Road to Qatar), where the goals scored by OSAKO Yuya (Vissel Kobe) and ITO Junya (KRC Genk) propelled them to a 2-0 victory. With four wins in a row, Japan have extended their tally to 15 points and remain in second place, which puts them in a position to qualify for the World Cup without going through the play-offs. Japan will now face the group leader, Saudi Arabia, at the same venue on Tuesday 1 February.

After nearly a two-month break, Japan was without their two centre-halves, YOSHIDA Maya (UC Sampdoria) and TOMIYASU Takehiro (Arsenal), due to injury, but showcased a dominating performance from start to finish to secure another three points.

The startling line-up mainly consisted of players who started in the match against Oman last November. With GONDA Shuichi (Shimizu S-Pulse) starting in goal, TANIGUCHI Shogo (Kawasaki Frontale) and ITAKURA Kou (FC Schalke 04) were named as the two centre-halves. SAKAI Hiroki (Urawa Red Diamonds) made his return as the right fullback, with NAGATOMO Yuto (FC Tokyo) starting in the left. ENDO Wataru (VfB Stuttgart), who was named as captain, anchored the midfield with TANAKA Ao (Fortuna Dusseldorf) and MORITA Hidemasa (CD Santa Clara) in front of him, while Ito and MINAMINO Takumi (Liverpool FC) were placed beneath Osako, who was named as the lone striker. .....

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