The Japan national side won 3-1 without Ko Itakura in their third group game against Indonesia and therefore booked their place in the Round of 16 of the AFC Asian Cup.
After a 4-2 win over Vietnam and a 2-0 defeat to Iraq, Japan qualified for the Round of 16 of the AFC Asian Cup with a win over Indonesia in their final group game. Borussia defender Ko Itakura (photo: imago images/ANP) was left out of the squad for the game due to illness.
Ayase Ueda put the ‘Samurai Blue’ on the road to victory when he converted a penalty with just six minutes on the clock. Japan increased their advantage to 3-0 in the second half through Ueda’s second in the 52nd minute and a Justin Hubner own goal in the 88th. Indonesia scored a consolation through Sandy Walsh in the first minute of injury time.
This victory over Indonesia means that Japan will finish second in Group D behind Iraq. They will meet the Group E winners in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, 31st January (12:30 CET).
