Japan's national team, under the guidance of coach Hajime Moriyasu, kicked off their quest for an eighth consecutive World Cup appearance with an impressive 5-0 win over Myanmar, featuring a hat-trick from Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda.
Despite the resounding success, Moriyasu called for more from his squad as they look ahead to their next qualifier against Syria in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Ueda's stellar performance, coupled with goals from Daichi Kamada and Ritsu Doan, extended Japan's winning streak to seven games, amassing a total of 29 goals. However, Moriyasu remained unsatisfied, emphasising the need to create more opportunities and reduce vulnerabilities in upcoming matches.
While Japan had previously trounced Myanmar 10-0 in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, this encounter saw Ueda's clinical finishing take centre stage. The tall striker headed home a precise Takumi Minamino pass, opened the scoring in the 11th minute, and showcased a deft first-time finish just before halftime. Ueda completed his hat-trick early in the second half, capitalising on another razor-sharp pass from Minamino.
Despite the comfortable lead, Moriyasu implemented numerous changes once victory was secured, even substituting goalkeeper Keisuke Osako with 10 minutes remaining. Looking ahead to the Syria match, Moriyasu expressed the desire to see his team "play tough" and commended the players' preparation and willingness to challenge themselves.
Reflecting on the game, Ueda remarked, "It was the first game, so we wanted to get the win. I think I was able to show my strong points tonight." Moriyasu, while acknowledging the difficulty of the first game in any competition, praised the players' positive attitude and expressed confidence in their ability to face different opponents.
Japan, having stunned the football world by defeating Germany and Spain en route to the last 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, now aims to build on their momentum as they strive for success in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
