AFC U17 Asian Cup
Ono Shingi’s side will face the winners of Saturday's last eight between Uzbekistan and Korea Republic, with Japan seeking a record-extending fifth title.
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After a cagey start, Tajikistan made the first attempt with Azizjon Shodiev looking to catch Japan custodian Kosei Oshita out from some 35 yards out in the sixth minute but got his connection wrong, sending the ball well wide.
Japan’s chances in the opening period were limited to shots from outside the box with Kazato Kimura firing straight at Abubakr Rahmonqulov before Tafuku Satomi twisted away from Asadbek Makhtumov, only to send his effort wide.
Japan’s chances in the opening period were limited to shots from outside the box with Kazato Kimura firing straight at Abubakr Rahmonqulov before Tafuku Satomi twisted away from Asadbek Makhtumov, only to send his effort wide.
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The East Asian side went closer in the 25th minute, Maki Kitahara’s corner delivery found Kakeru Saito, whose near-post flick was well read by Rahmonqulov.
Japan finally got the reward for their dominance in the 42nd minute when Sora Iwatsuchi played a superb through ball for Kitahara to smash a low shot into the bottom corner.
Japan finally got the reward for their dominance in the 42nd minute when Sora Iwatsuchi played a superb through ball for Kitahara to smash a low shot into the bottom corner.
Q-final: Japan v Tajikistan
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Japan continued to impose their game on Tajikistan after the break with Saito outmuscling Hikmatullo Kabirov in the box in the 53rd minute but from a tight angle, skewed his shot off target.
Kabirov’s day got worse just a minute later when, in his desperate attempt to stop a Japan attack, was sent off for a high foot challenge on Sosuke Hoshi.
Kabirov’s day got worse just a minute later when, in his desperate attempt to stop a Japan attack, was sent off for a high foot challenge on Sosuke Hoshi.
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Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, Japan extended their advantage on the hour mark, with Kitahara dancing into the box and sending a low shot beyond Rahmonqulov.
Saito was next to get in on the act, giving Maktoum Alidodov the slip inside the box to slide home Rekuto Shiraogawa’s cross from the left flank to make it 3-0 to Japan.
Saito was next to get in on the act, giving Maktoum Alidodov the slip inside the box to slide home Rekuto Shiraogawa’s cross from the left flank to make it 3-0 to Japan.
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Another Shiraogawa delivery from the left picked out Satomi at the far post in the 79th minute to sidefoot in before a third assist presented Eito Takaki with a simple tap-in in the 90th minute to seal an impressive Japan win.
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