International Friendlies
Islamic Republic of Iran, Bahrain and China PR also claimed victories, while Thailand and Tajikistan advanced to the King’s Cup final.
Japan 3-2 Brazil
Japan struck twice inside the opening 20 minutes, with Takefusa Kubo opening the scoring in the 15th minute before Keito Nakamura added a second four minutes later.
Vinícius Júnior pulled one back for Brazil in the 33rd minute, then levelled with a fine individual effort in the 75th.
Brazil threatened to take the lead, but Sakamoto struck in stoppage time to avenge Japan’s 2-1 defeat to Brazil at the FIFA World Cup earlier this year.
IR Iran 2-0 Palestine
IR Iran scored twice late in the second half to overcome Palestine.
Sardar Azmoun broke the deadlock in the 77th minute, and Saleh Hardani added a second seven minutes later to seal the win.
Bahrain 3-1 Yemen
Yemen took the lead through Abdul Majeed Sabarah in the 24th minute, but Bahrain responded before half-time.
Abdulla Yusuf Helal converted a penalty in the 36th minute and Komail Al Aswad put Bahrain ahead on the stroke of half-time.
Hamzah Al Surabi’s own goal in the 72nd minute completed the 3-1 win.
China PR 2-0 Malaysia
China PR scored twice in the opening 19 minutes to defeat Malaysia in Guangdong.
Wang Yudong headed the hosts in front in the 10th minute, and Zhang Yuning doubled their advantage nine minutes later.
Malaysia had a second-half goal from Fergus Tierney ruled out for offside following a VAR review. Tierney was sent off in the 90th minute after receiving a second yellow card.
Chinese Taipei 0-3 Kyrgyz Republic
Kyrgyz Republic scored twice before half-time, with Kayrat Zhyrgalbek Uulu opening the scoring in the 31st minute and Joel Kojo making it 2-0 shortly before the break.
Ayzar Akmatov added a third in stoppage time to complete the win.
Thailand King’s Cup
Thailand booked their place in the final with a 6-0 win over Brunei Darussalam.
An early own goal from Ishyra Asmin gave the hosts the lead, before William Weidersjö, Anan Yodsangwal and Yotsakon Burapha – who scored a hat-trick – completed the rout.
Tajikistan edged Oman 1-0 in the other semi-final. Shervoni Mabatshoev converted a penalty in the 62nd minute to send Tajikistan through to Tuesday’s final against Thailand.
Photos: Briyan
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