RIFFA: Japan on Thursday scored thrice to beat Qatar – the defending
champions – to reach the quarter-finals of the AFC U-19 Asian Cup.

Yuto Iwasaki (14), Koji Miyoshi (45) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (62) scored
the goals for Japan.

The result means Japan advance to the next stage as Group C leaders,
with title-holders Qatar falling at the first hurdle after Iran leapfrogged

over them in the standings.

Iwasaki opened the scoring for Japan in the 14th minute at the Bahrain
National Stadium before they then had a goal disallowed just before
the half hour.

Although both teams had resumed their positions in preparation for

the kick-off, referee Turki Al Khudhayr called play back and chalked

off the goal due to an offside infringement by Ritsu Doan.

The temporary setback did not seem to ruffle the rampant Japanese

attackers, as they notched that crucial second goal on the stroke of

halftime, with Miyoshi pouncing on a Qatari half-clearance and unleashing

a rocket-fueled left-footed strike into the Qatari net.

Qatar came out of the break looking refreshed, as they started to

attack the Japanese defence with more purpose.

The Kyoto Tachibana High School striker did well to recover his
footing but the Qatari defence had got back by this time and blocked
his shot on goal.

Qatar, coached by Oscar Cano, drew 1-1 against Iran last Friday before
beating Yemen 1-0 in their second match.

After the defeat, Qatar coach Oscar Cano has admitted his opponents’

supremacy over the 90 minutes, he said: “Since the very first minute, Japan

were better than us. We were defending in good order but we made a

communication error and they scored a goal. Japan were much better

than us so congratulations to them and good luck.

“We lost the game but we stood on our feet. It wasn’t easy for our players

but we cannot blame them. When one team is better than the other in all

areas, the only thing we can do is to fight and try to reduce the gap between

the two sides. Japan were better technically and physically tonight.”