Japan wrapped up its qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in style at Suita City Football Stadium on Tuesday, putting in a thrilling attacking display to beat Indonesia 6-0.
Former Sagan Tosu forward Daichi Kamada got the party started in the 15th minute, his header proving too strong for Indonesia goalkeeper Emil Audero after an in-swinging cross from the left by ex-Albirex Niigata winger Shunsuke Mito - one of two debutants in the starting XI for the Samurai Blue, along with Shonan Bellmare defender Junnosuke Suzuki.
Captain for the night Takefusa Kubo, formerly of FC TOKYO, doubled Japan’s lead four minutes later, working a short corner with Kamada and then taking a quick one-two touch before slamming into the net after the ball was played back to him by Shuto Machino, formerly of MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE side Shonan.
Kamada then added his second of the night in the sixth minute of first-half additional time, rounding off a terrific passing move with a cute dink home from just inside the six-yard box.
Japan weren’t content to settle with what they had and continued to press from the front in the second period, with former Nagoya Grampus man Ryoya Morishita making it 4-0 in the 55th minute. Machino looped a terrific ball to the back post from the left-hand side of the box, and Morishita made no mistake when side-footing his volley home.
Three minutes later Machino made it 5-0 to Japan, tucking in from close range after Kubo had scooped a delicious ball into his path.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu provided two more players with their debuts in the final half an hour as Kodai Sano, previously of Fagiano Okayama, and current Okayama forward Ryunosuke Sato were among those entering the fray, with another substitute adding a sixth goal late on.
FC TOKYO’s Kota Tawaratsumida broke into the box and cut the ball back from the byline, and after it was prodded on by former Gamba Osaka winger Keito Nakamura Kashiwa Reysol hitman Mao Hosoya wrapped up the scoring as he converted from the edge of the six-yard box with 10 minutes remaining.
That took Japan to 30 goals from their 10 games in Group C of the third round of AFC Asian Qualifiers, drawing things to a close in emphatic style and sending the 33,661 fans in attendance home more than satisfied as they started looking ahead to next year’s finals in North America.
