Qatar succumbed to a 1-3 defeat to Japan in the opening match of group D in the football tournament at the Asian Games 2023 at the Xiaoshan Sports Center Stadium. Teppei Yachida sparked things for the Blue Samurai within a mere three minutes; he curled in a beautifully struck free kick to open the score. This early goal not only put a goal on the scoresheet but also established a commanding tone for the East Asians. Inspired by the early lead, Nikishawa and Takashi soon after had their bids to double the deficit, but keeper Yousif Abdullah was alert enough to stave off those attempts. However, Japan scored a second through Kotaro on 25 minutes, which Nikishawa set up before chesting the ball down before shooting to the bottom low corner of the goal. Qatar improved substantially in the closing fifteen minutes of the first half, with forward Ahmed Al Rawi shooting from beyond the box twice in two minutes. Still, his efforts were rejected by a wall of opposition Japanese legs. Midfielder Khalid Ali was the standout player for Qatar during this spell, with his skilful dribbling and darting passes. The left-footed no.10 linked up beautifully with Al Rawi's behind the defence's run inside the box, but the latter was denied the opportunity to hit the ball comfortably. In the 42nd minute, Qatar produced their most threatening effort of the half. The talented Ali orchestrated a brilliant play by executing a perfectly placed outside-of-the-foot pass to Nabil Erfan. Erfan swiftly manoeuvred the ball to the lively Ahmed Al Rawi with great precision. However, Al Rawi's left foot failed him again, causing the ball to soar high above the crossbar, missing the mark. The Maroons began the second half on a more upbeat note; their intentions were manifested through several attempts but were halted by a vigilant Japanese backline, which impressed throughout the evening. Substitute Hameed Elyas almost narrowed the deficit, but the Japanese goalkeeper staved off his header. Japan responded immediately through the fresh legs of a substitute as well with an even more dangerous chance; Hino Shot'a first touch of the evening saw him hit the crossbar. Substitute Abdullah Al Sulaiti produced a moment of brilliance on 79 minutes when he fired a cross-like shot from the left flank that found its way past the Japan goalie to briefly revive Ildio Vale's men's hopes of a comeback. However, Japan sealed the game in 88 minutes, as defender Taichi found himself in the proper position to take advantage of uncharacteristically poor marking by the Qatar backline and score Japan's third goal.