Japan looked to have opened the scoring in the first half when Anthony Motosuna headed home, but he was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch.

They wouldn't be denied for long, though, as Hiroto Asada drove through the heart of the Morocco backline and set up Seguchi, who unleashed a terrific first-time effort into the far corner.

Minato Yoshida thought he'd netted a second soon after, only for play to be pulled back for handball.

They would eventually make the game safe in the dying embers, with Hirashima rifling in from just inside the box from a counter attack.

Up next for Japan will be New Caledonia on Thursday while Morocco will meet Portugal on the same day.

Photos: FIFA via Getty Images