AFC Asian Qualifiers
Keito Nakamura and Ritsu Doan struck in the 17th and 34th minutes respectively to give Japan a two-goal lead at the interval before a double from Koki Ogawa in the final 15 minutes and Nakamura’s injury time strike confirmed a win that moves Japan onto 15 points.
With qualification for the next phase already assured, Moriyasu named a much-changed side from the one that defeated DPR Korea 1-0 on March 21 in his side’s most recent qualifier, with only four players retaining their places in the line-up.
Reo Hatate, one of Japan’s seven changes, saw his early attempt deflected wide moments after Daichi Kamada had fired high over the bar in a positive start for the visitors to Thuwunna Stadium.
Kamada then pulled a 15th minute effort wide before the Crystal Palace-bound midfielder unlocked the Myanmar defence for the opener, sliding a pass from his own half into Nakamura’s path with precision.
The Reims winger burst into the unguarded space on the right side of the home defence to meet Kamada’s delivery and slot a right-foot shot into the bottom corner of Kyaw Zin Phyo’s goal.
Seventeen minutes later Doan doubled the lead, reacting quickest when Kamada’s low shot on the turn bounced back into his path off the bottom of the Myanmar post.
The home goalkeeper was in action again late in the half when he managed to keep Nakamura’s downward header from crossing the line while Doan saw a headed effort in injury time ruled out for offside.
With his team in control, Moriyasu made a host of changes early in the second half with one of his substitutes, Daizen Maeda, forcing Kyaw Zin Phyo to keep out a 70th minute strike destined for the bottom corner.
It only took another five minutes, however, for the Japanese to add their third when Ogawa burst through unmarked to meet Yuki Soma’s cross as it drifted towards goal from the right corner of the penalty area.
Ogawa was on target again seven minutes from time when he took advantage of a mistake by the Myanmar defence to score on the turn from 12 yards out and Nakamura bent his shot in from the edge of the area in injury time to complete a comfortable win.
