UAE defender Ahmed Al Shanifi (left) tussles with Japan midfielder Takashi Usami in their AFC U-16 Championship clash.TASHKENT – Striker Takumi Miyayoshi scored a hat-trick to steer Japan to a comprehensive 6-1 win over UAE at MHSK stadium on Tuesday and book their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Under-16 Championship.
Miyayoshi put his side in front with seven minutes gone in the Group D encounter before adding a second nine minutes later before completing his treble shortly before the hour mark.
Tatsuya Uchida netted the fourth goal and Kenyu Sugimoto then grabbed a brace for Japan either side of a consolation effort for UAE through Fahad Salim’s penalty with 15 minutes remaining.
Miyayoshi was handed a start after coming on as a substitute and finding the back of the net in Japan’s first game, a 4-0 victory over Malaysia, and immediately grasped the opportunity afforded him with both hands.
The striker collected a neat pass from Takashi Usami and dispatched a shot into the far corner beyond UAE goalkeeper Eesa Abbas to give Japan an early lead.
They nearly doubled their advantage four minutes later when Usami cut into the box from the left flank but Abbas saved his powerful strike.
However, it was 2-0 on 16 minutes as a header inside the area fell into Miyayoshi’s path and he fired a low shot past the helpless Abbas.
The Japanese maintained the pressure and had another chance after 26 minutes but Usami shot straight at the keeper and Yuma Hiroki volleyed over the bar five minutes later.
A third goal seemed inevitable with half-time approaching, Koji Takano firing over the bar before seeing another effort tipped over by Abbas, but UAE managed to cling on until the break.
Indeed they could have pulled a goal back shortly after the re-start as Abdulla Mohammad closed in on goal and tried to lob the ball over advancing Japanese goalkeeper Koki Matsuzawa but instead fired straight at the custodian.
However, Japan did notch a third in the 57th minute as Miyayoshi duly completed his hat-trick.
Usami’s fierce strike from the right was parried by Abbas but Miyayoshi was on hand to put the ball into the net.
A three goal lead became four on the hour mark. Usami’s free kick from the left was headed against his own bar by UAE defender Ahmed Abdelaziz and Uchida scored from close range at the second attempt.
Japan’s fifth came after 71 minutes as Yuki Kobayashi’s corner from the left was headed home by Kenyu Sugimoto at the near post.
UAE pulled a goal back four minutes later when Sugimoto handled inside the area and Salem made no mistake from the spot.
However, Japan had the final say two minutes from time as Sugimoto scored his second when he headed home Usami’s cross from the right.
Source:The AFC.com
