Football: Japan prevail in World Cup qualifier

HONG KONG: Japan thumped Tajikistan by four goals to nil, moving closer to the next phase of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. The Blue Samurai opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Kengo Nakamura’s shot was saved by goal-keeper Alisher Tuychiev only for defender Yasuyuki Konno to pounce on the rebound. Japan made it 2-0 in the 61st minute when Kagawa sent a cross from the left edge of the area for Shinji Okazaki to head home. Second-half substitute Ryoichi Maeda added another in the 82nd and Japan completed the victory in injury time with a fluid passing move finished off by Okazaki.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th,  2011.