Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022: Japan trounce Mongolia 14-0 in Asian qualifier

Moriyasu’s men continue their perfect record and are one win away from reaching third round of Asian qualification

Osako seals hat-trick and three players score a brace as makeshift AFC group qualifiers conclude in Japan

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Japan’s Takumi Minamino (centre) and Yuya Osako celebrate a goal during the World Cup Asian zone group F qualification match against Mongolia at Fuku-ari Stadium in Chiba. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:26pm, 31 Mar 2021Updated: 1:26pm, 31 Mar 2021

Japan stayed perfect in World Cup qualifying by routing Mongolia 14-0 on Tuesday, a fifth win of the second stage coming 16 months after their last.

The Samurai Blue, who scored five goals in the first half and nine in the second, now lead group F with 15 points. A victory over Myanmar on June 3 will secure first place in the group and a spot in the third round of Asian qualifying.

The eight group winners and four best second-place teams will advance to the next stage, which is scheduled to start in September.

Takumi Minamino, Yuya Osako, Daichi Kamada and Hidemasa Morita all scored in the first half, along with an own-goal from Mongolia defender Khash-Erdene Tuyaa. Osako ended with a hat-trick, while Sho Inagaki, Junya Ito and Kyogo Furuhashi scored two each. Takuma Asano also scored.

Japan’s Yuya Osako celebrates after scoring his first of three goals against Mongolia in their World Cup Asian qualifier. Photo: Reuters

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said a big winning margin against Mongolia wasn’t the priority.