Asian Coup | Japan & Sakai open with strong performance

For its opening Asian Cup match, Japan faced Turkmenistan at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Things got off to a poor start for Olympien Hiroki Sakai and his Blue Samurai, the right-back in a 5-man defense. After conceding a goal just before the half-hour mark. Japan reacted in the second half with an Osako brace in four minutes (56th and 60th) and a Doan game-winner (71st). Turkmenistan reduced the gap thanks to a penalty converted by Atayev (79).

With the win, Japan leads Group F and faces Oman on Sunday and Uzbekistan on Thursday.