Action from Japan-Tajikistan match. Photo by: AFC/Noriko Hayakusa

OSAKA: Hosts and defending champions Japan ended their group campaign of the AFC Futsal Championship with a comprehensive 6-2 victory over Tajikistan, while the Central Asians also sealed a last eight berth despite the loss. In the other Group A match at the Amagazaki City Park Gymnasium, Hong Kong recorded just their sixth win in the championship history beating Philippines 3-2. As has been a recurrent theme throughout Japan’s successes at these Championships, key playmaker Kenichiro Kogure was integral to the final result – one of three Japanese players to net two goals, along with Yusuke Komiyama and Daisuke Ono.

As they had done in 2006, Tajikistan became the first and only team to score against Japan at the group stage of the Championships – this time Sherzod Jumaev and Uvaydo Davlatbekov earning the plaudits.

It was fitting that the first strike to be scored against Japan at these Championships be by one of Tajikistan’s best – lynchpin attacker Jumaev.

In a group dominated by the dazzling individual contributions from the men in blue, Jumaev, along with captain Rustam Khodjaev, has been the standout contributor to the accomplishments of Tajikistan, assisting immeasurably in securing the Central Asian’s their quarter final place.

This performance from Japan was not directly in accordance with the fluid passing game and assured swagger that the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium audience have come to expect these Championships.

Still, Japan’s class was very much evident – Kogure’s goals alone a fitting underline of the pedigree of the reigning champions.

The hosts will now face Group B runners up Thailand in a mouth watering knock out clash at the Osaka Municipality Central Gymnasium on Thursday, while Tajikistan must overcome the challenge of regional neighbours Uzbekistan in order to stay in the competition.

“It was a very good game, of course we did lose two goals today, but the players carried out our game plan well and tomorrow at training we will try to improve,” said Japan coach Sapo after the match.

“Thailand and us have a very strong rivalry, we know all about each other.

“Tomorrow we will study some videos of their performances here and see how we can best exploit them on Thursday.”

Hong Kong and the Philippines have never progressed beyond the group stage. They both were aiming to at least get a win.

Hong Kong with no points yet wanted to rectify this. In the early going the two teams came out with intent to score.

Hong Kong were delighted as they got on the score sheet in the very first minute.

Sheung Kwai So was happy to be in the right place to put away a rebound and give Hong Kong the lead.

Both teams are quite speedy so there are plenty of fast attacks and Counter attacks.

Hong Kong kept up their high pace and once again found an opening when Loi Keung So blasted a shot into the Philippine's net for a 2-0 lead.

Hong Kong were now dominant and continued to pile men forward.

The Filipinos also managed to put together some nice moves, however, that final pass and shot just wasn't good enough. The halftime score was 2-0 for Hong Kong.

In the second half the Philippines came looking to try and get a goal back.

Hong Kong tightened up their defence so the Philippines had a difficult time finding space.

It was in fact Hong Kong who had the best chance in the early going of the second half but poor finishing let them down. It wasn't until around the twelfth minute of the second half that there was another goal.

The Philippines pulled one back from one of the four Iranian Filipino players, Peyman Nejadsafavi.

Almost immediately Hong Kong replied with a low powerful shot struck by Kwan Yee Lo to make it 3-1.

Philippines didn't give up and about a minute later pulled another goal back from Nejadsafavi again for a 3-2 scoreline.

There were further chances for both teams, but there was no more scoring.

"We dominated the game but the ball just wouldn't go in. It's our pleasure to play in the tournament and a good learning experience for our players," said Philippines coach Esmail Sedigh.