Japan beat Germany at the 2022 FIFA World Cup to help the Samurai Blue advance to the knockout stages and, on Saturday, they beat the four-time world champions again. Four Meiji Yasuda J.League products scored in a 4-1 victory as Japan put on a show against the hosts in Wolfsburg.

Junya Ito, who played at Ventforet Kofu and Kashiwa Reysol to begin his career, gave Japan an early lead. Nagoya Grampus product Yukinari Sugawara hit a great cross that Ito was able to get a toe to and redirect in from a tight angle for the Samurai Blue opener.

Germany responded quickly with an equalizer, but Japan just pushed on and three minutes later had their lead back. This time it was Kashima Antlers product Ayase Ueda who did the honors by getting the redirect to find the back of the net and restore the advantage.

The middle part of the match saw Japan play excellently, but the good German side gave them some challenges too and Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s Keisuke Osako made a couple terrific saves to preserve the lead.

Late on, Japan poured it on. Takefusa Kubo, who came through F.C.Tokyo, raced in behind the Germany defense before squaring it to Sanfrecce product Takuma Asano for the tap in. Finally, Kawasaki Frontale academy man Ao Tanaka knocked in the fourth to wrap up a phenomenal day for the Samurai Blue.

With one great performance in their pocket, Japan’s attention will now turn to their friendly on Tuesday against Turkey. All of this is part of their preparation for this winter’s Asian Cup, which the Samurai Blue look well positioned for as they continue to show their quality against team after team from around the world.