In the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, Japan delivered a dominant performance, dismantling China PR 7-0 at the Saitama Stadium. The Samurai Blue, under the guidance of Hajime Moriyasu, demonstrated their class with a ruthless display of attacking football. Goals from Wataru Endo, Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino, Junya Ito, Daizen Maeda, and Takefusa Kubo highlighted Japan’s superiority in every facet of the game, leaving China PR struggling to keep up.
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Japan vs China PR Head to Head
The history between Japan and China PR has been competitive, but Japan has usually had the upper hand. In their last five meetings, Japan had won three times, while China managed just one win. However, this encounter proved to be a one-sided affair, with Japan further asserting their dominance.
Japan vs China PR Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Matches):
- Japan: 3 wins
- Draws: 0
- China PR: 1 win
Japan vs China PR Lineups
Here is the Japan vs China PR lineups today (Sep 5, 2024)
Japan (3-4-2-1)
- Goalkeeper: Zion Suzuki
- Defenders: Shogo Taniguchi, Kou Itakura, Koki Machida
- Midfielders: Hidemasa Morita (C), Wataru Endo, Ao Tanaka, Kaoru Mitoma
- Forwards: Ritsu Doan, Takumi Minamino, Ayase Ueda
Substitution: Keisuke Osako, Kosei Tani, Yukinari Sugawara, Kota Takai, Yuta Nakayama, Daichi Kamada, Ao Tanaka, Daizen Maeda, Keito Nakamura, Junya Ito, Takuma Asano, Koki Ogawa
Japan Football Team Manager: Hajime Moriyasu
China PR (4-4-2)
- Goalkeeper: Wang Dalei
- Defenders: Guangtai Jiang, Zhu Chenjie, Yang Zexiang, Liu Yang
- Midfielders: Xu Haoyang, Abduweli Behram, Jiang Shenglong, Xie Wenneng
- Forwards: Wu Lei (C), Zhang Yuning
Substitution: Yan Junling, Liu Dianzuo, Zhunyi Gao, Li Lei, Wei Zhen, Han Pengfei, Wang Shangyuan, Wang Haijian, Lin Liangming, Fernandinho, Alan, Abduweli Behram
China Football Team Manager: Branko Ivanković
Japan vs China PR First Half
Japan immediately took control of the match, with their fluid and aggressive play causing issues for China PR. In the 12th minute, Wataru Endo headed in the opening goal after a corner kick delivered by Takefusa Kubo. Japan’s pressure intensified, and just before half-time, Kaoru Mitoma doubled Japan’s lead with a well-placed header from a Ritsu Doan cross. Despite China PR’s efforts, they couldn’t contain the wave of attacks, and the half ended 2-0 in favor of Japan.
Japan vs China PR Half-Time Score
- Japan 2-0 China PR
Japan vs China PR Second Half
Japan came out firing in the second half and quickly put the game out of China PR’s reach. In the 52nd minute, Takumi Minamino netted his first goal after a precise pass from Kaoru Mitoma, making it 3-0. Just six minutes later, Minamino struck again, completing a brace with a clinical finish.
China PR, despite substitutions, couldn’t keep up, and in the 77th minute, Junya Ito’s deflected shot extended Japan’s lead to 5-0. Daizen Maeda added the sixth in the 87th minute, converting another assist from Ito. Finally, Takefusa Kubo put the icing on the cake in injury time with a powerful strike, sealing Japan’s emphatic 7-0 victory.
Japan vs China PR Full-Time Score:
- Japan 7-0 China PR
Japan vs China PR Timeline of Events
- 12′: Goal – Wataru Endo scores with a header from Kubo’s corner (1-0).
- 18′: Yellow card – Yang Zexiang (China PR)
- 39′: Yellow card – Zhang Yuning is booked for a foul.
- 45’+2′: Goal – Kaoru Mitoma heads in a cross from Doan (2-0).
- 52′: Goal – Takumi Minamino scores after Mitoma’s assist (3-0).
- 58′: Goal – Takumi Minamino completes his brace with a powerful shot (4-0).
- 70′: Yellow card – Alan (China PR).
- 77′: Goal – Junya Ito scores after a deflection (5-0).
- 87′: Goal – Daizen Maeda converts Ito’s assist (6-0).
- 90’+5′: Goal – Takefusa Kubo strikes powerfully to make it 7-0.
Japan vs China PR Stats
| Japan vs China PR Stats | Japan | China PR |
|---|---|---|
| Possession (%) | 65 | 35 |
| Shots (on target) | 21 (12) | 5 (1) |
| Corners | 8 | 3 |
| Fouls | 15 | 14 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 2 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
Japan vs China PR Fouls and Cards
- 18′: Yellow card – Yang Zexiang (China PR)
- 39′: Yellow card – Zhang Yuning (China PR)
- 70′: Yellow card – Alan (China PR)
Japan vs China PR Man of the Match
Takumi Minamino was the standout performer, scoring two crucial goals just after half-time to decisively tilt the match in Japan’s favor. His movement off the ball and clinical finishing made him a constant threat to China’s defense, earning him the Man of the Match award.
Japan vs China PR Impact on the Points Table
This resounding win boosts Japan’s standing in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers. With this performance, they signal their intent to top the group and secure a comfortable route to the 2026 World Cup. China PR, on the other hand, will need to regroup and refocus if they want to have any chance of progressing.
Group C Standings
- Japan – 3 points (1 match)
- Bahrain – 3 points (1 match)
- China PR – 0 points (1 match)
Japan’s 7-0 thrashing of China PR in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers was a statement performance. Their dominance was evident from start to finish, with their midfield orchestrating play and their forwards clinically finishing chances. China PR had no answers to Japan’s fast-paced, technical football. This result positions Japan as one of the favorites to secure qualification, while China PR will need a much-improved showing in their upcoming matches if they are to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
