Facing a China PR side determined to advance past the group stage for the first time, Kuryu Matsui's eighth minute goal gave Japan an early advantage with the Young Samurai Blue then having to be resilient following Ryuya Nishio's sending off in the 16th minute. 

A more clinical performance saw Japan booking their quarter-final spot with a match to spare, with Seiji Kimura and Sota Kawasaki finding the back of the net against the UAE.

Having confirmed their respective knockout stage berths with a match to spare, both sides made changes to their starting lineup with Kim Min-woo’s header 15 minutes from time earning Korea Republic a 1-0 win.

Easily their toughest challenge but one that Japan passed after a supreme effort with the tie stretching to extra-time despite Qatar being reduced to 10 players from the 41st minute. 

Japan produced their best form of the tournament to see off the challenge of a promising Iraq side, with first half goals from Mao Hosoya and Ryotaro Araki sending them into the final.