Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Vientiane: Six-time runners-up Japan became the first side to punch their ticket to the AFC U-19 Championship Bahrain 2016 after downing second-placed Australia 3-0 in their final Group J qualifying match at the National Sports Complex Stadium on Tuesday.
Two goals including a penalty in the space of two minutes in first half stoppage time laid the foundations for the Japanese to record a perfect record of three wins from their trio of qualifying games.
Just as the match looked to be heading towards a goalless first half, Akito Takagi struck one minute into stoppage time before Daisuke Sakai registered a penalty a minute later to put Atsushi Uchiyama’s side 2-0 ahead at the break.
Koki Ogawa, who had scored in both of Japan's previous matches, duly found the net on 71 minutes to clinch his side’s third win following a 6-0 drubbing of the Philippines and their 2-0 opening win over hosts Laos.
Meanwhile, in the group’s other game, hosts Laos beat the Philippines 2-1 and finished their qualifying campaign in third spot while the Filipinos were left rooted to the bottom of the group.
Thanin Phanthavong opened the scoring for Laos on five minutes before Javier Gayoso equalised after 19 minutes.
However, Laos midfielder Maitee struck three minutes before half-time to give Veunsavanh Sivisay’s side their only win in the qualifying campaign.
Ten group winners and five (to be confirmed in due course) best second-placed teams will qualify for the finals while hosts Bahrain received an automatic qualification (total 16 teams).