Moriyasu named the same team that handed Bahrain a 5-0 thrashing in their previous match in the preliminaries while Roberto Mancini was forced into several changes, with Mohammed Kanno suspended and Sultan Al Ghannam injured.

Despite that, Salem Al Dawsari sought to test the defence in the early exchanges, outpacing Ritsu Doan on the Japanese right and, in the ninth minute, the Al Hilal winger tried his luck from outside the area only for the shot trundled through for Zion Suzuki to collect.

But, having survived those early tests, it was Japan who took the lead in the 14th minute through Kamada.

A lofted cross-field ball from Doan found Kaoru Mitoma on the left side of the penalty and the England-based defender flicked the ball into the centre for Hidemasa Morita to head into the path of the Crystal Palace man and he stroked home from three yards out.

The Saudis increased pressure as they sought a way back into the game, forcing a series of desperate blocks from Koki Machida, Morita and Wataru Endo in quick succession to keep the Green Falcons at bay.

The Japanese were forced to show their resilience at a series of corners as Mancini’s side peppered the six-yard box only for the defence to hold firm while Zion Suzuki clawed one effort over his bar to safety.

Saud Abdulhamid then saw his driven attempt spectacularly saved by Suzuki diving high and to his right to palm the ball away with three minutes remaining in the half as the Saudis further cranked up the intensity.

Ahmed Al Kassar was called into action at the other end moments later, Ayase Ueda’s goal-bound shot kept out by the keeper at full stretch after clever link-up play from Takumi Minamino had released the Feyenoord forward.

A frantic opening 45 minutes gave way to a cagey second half with chances suddenly at a premium. Mitoma had his attempt blocked midway through the half and substitute Koki Ogawa saw his shot deflected wide for a corner with time running out.

It was from that set piece the Japanese claimed the killer second, Ogawa powering his header from Ito’s centre into the bottom corner with Al Kassar rooted to the spot.