Go Oiwa’s side, who emerged champions of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024, started brightly and went ahead in the sixth minute after Shota Fujio’s cross hit Bryan Reynolds’ hand and a penalty was awarded.

Koki Saito, who plies his trade with Sparta Rotterdam in the Netherlands, stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

The match remained in the balance until the 69th minute when Japan doubled their lead through forward Mao Hosoya.

The Kashiwa Reysol player reacted quickest to put away a rebound after United States goalkeeper Patrick Schulte had fumbled a Shunsuke Mito shot.

Next up for Oiwa’s side will be a friendly against France on Tuesday ahead of Japan’s opening Group D match at the Olympics against Paraguay on July 24.

They will also meet Mali (July 27) and Israel (July 30) as Oiwa’s side bid to become only the second Japanese side to win a medal at the Olympics, with the 1968 squad having won bronze.