SHIZUOKA —

Shinji Okazaki scored a hat-trick as Japan coasted to a 6-0 win over Hong Kong on Thursday in a final-round qualifier for the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar.
 
Yuto Nagatomo, Yuji Nakazawa and Marcus Tulio Tanaka were also on target for the hosts.
 
After three games, Japan moved top of Group A on goal difference from Bahrain, which has played one game less. Yemen also has played one game less and is three points back in third, while Hong Kong is without a point from its three games.
 
The top two teams from each of the qualifying groups progress to the 2011 Asian Cup.
 
Japan lost the third-place playoff at the 2007 Asian Cup, so while the top three from that tournament qualify automatically for 2011, Japan has been forced into the qualifiers.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

› Login to comment

5 Comments

• 

  aintgottimetobl at 08:00 AM JST - 9th October

  on last nights performance Hong Kong is an embarrassment to the competition and is totally undeserving of an international soccer presence..incompetent in every aspect of play.

• 

  TeruSensei at 08:58 AM JST - 9th October

  Just because they are not a highly talented or skillful nation with a strong history of professional football shouldn't mean that they are denied representation in the world's biggest game.

  I am sure every HK player is so proud to represent his country, and none of them would give less than their best. They may not be a strong or talented team, but they deserve the chance to represent their country.

• 

  ratpack at 09:33 AM JST - 9th October

  6-0?? Is that all??? Why didn't Japan win by more than 10??? 15??? Hong Kong are on their best day the same level as a high school side!!!!!!

• 

  michaelqtodd at 09:42 AM JST - 9th October

  Japan needs better opposition than this as they build towards South Africa.These kind of mismatches do not really help either side and re not much fun for spectators either.Good case for a 2 tier competition.See they have Scotland this weekend.That should give them a good test even though 10 Scots have pulled out.

• 

  bgaudry at 10:30 AM JST - 9th October

  Agree with all of you, but this is great because it will make the Japanese have delusions of greatness, so when they get beaten again we can all enjoy their parade being rained on. Can't wait!

Register or Login to leave a comment