Japan toppled China, 2-0, in Thursday’s FIFA World Cup qualifier to hold onto their crucial second-place spot in Group B. Junya Ito was the standout figure for the Samurai Blue, drawing a penalty for the first goal and scoring the second as Japan got a much-needed result in their march to Qatar 2022.

Ito, who began his career at Ventforet Kofu and played at Kashiwa Reysol before moving to Genk in Belgium, was dynamic from the opening whistle and combined well with Urawa Reds’ Hiroki Sakai on the right to trouble China.

It took only a dozen minutes before Ito’s play paid off, as he earned a penalty that Vissel Kobe’s Yuya Osako buried for an early Japan lead.

The early goal turned attention to the Samurai Blue defense and midfield, who were tasked with seeing out the match and keeping Japan on top. They answered the call, controlling possession and tempo while erasing the China attack.

Ito put the match away just after the hour mark with a terrific header from 10 yards out. Ito’s standout match against China comes after he scored the lone goal in each of Japan’s previous two qualifiers, making him the clear danger man in the Samurai Blue’s quest to qualify.

By the time the referee blew for the final whistle, Japan had 63% of possession and had limited China to only two shots, neither of which was on target. It was a thorough performance from the Samurai Blue, who have now won four straight qualifiers.

Japan currently sit second place in Group B, the final automatic qualifying spot to the World Cup. They remain a point ahead of Australia, who also won on Thursday, and are set to play first-place Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.