Japan's Kenichiro Kogure with the ball. AFC photo by Noriko Hayakusa

OSAKA: Japan are the first team qualified for the quarter finals of the AFC Futsal Championship after downing a spirited Hong Kong line up 8-0 at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium tonight.

Kenta Fujii, the only field player not to find the back of the net in Japan’s first round thrashing of the Philippines, was the most prolific marksman on this occasion, scoring three alongside braces by Yuki Kanayama and Kenichiro Kogure and a single contribution from Yusuke Komiyama.

Segments of Japan ’s display were simply breathtaking.

The quality and creativity of the home side’s passing game was, at times, unlike anything seen at these Championships.

Led by captain Fujii and chief playmaker Kogure, Japan were at their irresistible best from the opening whistle and look well and truly on track to record their second consecutive Championships crown.

“Yesterday’s game and today’s game were good games, my players have kept their concentration throughout,” said Japan coach Sapo.

“We have been aggressive in attack and we’ve stayed calm when we’ve need to, which has given us two victories now.”

Japan have now gone seven Championships matches without tasting defeat and have conceded just eight goals in such time – six of which were in the one match against their next opponent, Tajikistan, one year ago.

Hong Kong, who were certainly not embarrassed by their much-fancied opponents, are now officially out of the running for a quarter final place, but still have their sixth ever Championships win to aim for when they take on the Philippines in Amagazaki tomorrow.

Earlier, the Philippines and Tajikistan played out a thoroughly entertaining 2-2 draw – a result that keeps both nations in the hunt for a quarter final place.

Tajikistan took a 2-0 lead to the break after strikes from crafty playmaker Sherzod Jumaev and Alisher Oulmassov, before two goals from dynamic Philippines eleven-a-side international Ariel Zerrudo levelled the scores.

The result was of more significance for the Philippines, who only yesterday were demoralised to the tune of a 16-0 defeat by the host nation.

In two previous Championships appearances, the Philippines’ only joy has come from a win against Bhutan and draw against Macao, making today’s achievement against one of the stronger futsal nations in Asia particularly noteworthy.

“In the first half, Tajikistan played the better and in the second half, we really didn’t let them into our final third and, in the end, got the result,” said the Philippines ’ Iranian coach Sedigh Esmaeil.

“Tajikistan is a good team, they’ve been together for about six or seven years, whereas our team has been together for only a few months. “Of course, Tajikistan still has to play Japan , so there is a big chance for us to qualify for the quarter finals if we can win against Hong Kong tomorrow.”

In the race for second spot behind Japan, Tajikistan are still better placed than their nearest rival the Philippines, but will be looking to absolutely confirm their quarter final spot by taking at a least a point from the tournament’s best performed team at the Amagazaki City Park Gymnasium tomorrow.

Tajik coach Kamaletdinov Damir was upbeat about his side’s chances, but also regretful at failing to capitalise on an opportunity to seal their quarter final place by trumping the supposed minnows of their group.

“The game was very interesting, yesterday the Philippines lost 16-0 and they weren’t able to show their best,” said Damir.

“I think today they had a very good game, but, we weren’t playing at our maximum ability.”