KOBE —

Japan warmed up for its crunch upcoming World Cup qualifier against Qatar with a routine 3-1 win over Syria in a friendly in Kobe on Thursday. An early goal from Yuto Nagatomo put injury-hit Japan on their way and Keiji Tamada added a second midway through the first half. Yoshito Okubo got in on the act with the third before Mohamad Alzino grabbed a consolation for the Syrians from the penalty spot 12 minutes from time.
   
Japan has four points from two qualifiers, two adrift of Group A leader Australia, while Qatar is third in the five-team group on four points from three games. The top two teams from each of two final-round groups will automatically qualify for the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

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  eresay at 01:20 AM JST - 15th November

  Way to go Japan. Choosing to beat up on the 104th ranked team in the world. They screwed up so many chances, they should have won 6-0. Syria were awful

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