Japan U-21 men beat Thailand 3-0, top Asian Games group

Nakajima Yotaro scored in the 31st minute at Toyota Stadium, and Kosugi Keita and Ishii Hisatsugu added second-half goals as Japan wrapped up its Asian Games group campaign with a win, TBS reported. Japan had already secured a place in the knockout stage, but the result made it three straight wins in Group A.

How Japan won

Both Japan and Thailand entered the match with six points from two wins. Japan started fast, with Nakajima sending in a cross in the third minute and later heading over from Ishibashi's cross. Michiwaki also got on the end of a corner, while Ishii shot wide.

The breakthrough came when Ishibashi crossed from the left and Nakajima finished with his left foot. The Toyota Stadium crowd erupted after the opener. Early in the second half, Kosugi, an overseas-based player, latched onto a loose ball and struck a left-footed shot into the net. A minute later, Ishii added another, stretching Japan's lead.

Japan did not concede in the group stage, finishing with 12 goals scored and none against. The team pushed for a fourth goal late but could not extend the margin. Japan opened the group stage with a 2-0 win over Hong Kong.

Captain Ichihara Rion said after the match, "I'm only thinking about winning, and we'll prepare as a team to make sure we do." He added that the team still needs to raise its level.

What comes next

Japan will face North Korea in the quarterfinals. Football Channel's tournament page lists the matchup as part of the knockout round. The win keeps Japan on course for a first men's football gold in 16 years. The quarterfinal against North Korea is set for Sept. 25.