Japan Beats China 3-1, Eyes Eighth Consecutive World Cup

Japan moved closer to qualifying for their eighth consecutive World Cup with a 3-1 victory over China on November 19. Playing their first senior international in China in nine years, Japan dominated the match with Koki Ogawa scoring twice and Ko Itakura adding another. Ogawa opened the scoring in the 39th minute heading in a corner from Junya Ito. Just before halftime, Itakura doubled Japan’s lead by converting another corner kick, this time flicked on by Koki Machida.

China responded early in the second half when Lin Liangming capitalized on a pass from Wei Shihao and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. However, Ogawa sealed China’s fate just six minutes later heading in a cross from Ito to restore Japan’s two-goal advantage. The match took place in front of a lively crowd of 45,000 at the Xiamen Egret Stadium with a heavy police presence due to the long-standing rivalry between the two nations.

A fan invaded the pitch during the first half and loud booing greeted Japan’s national anthem before kickoff. Despite this, Japan held firm and secured their fifth win and a draw in Asian qualifying Group C moving closer to a place in the 2026 World Cup. After suffering a heavy 7-0 defeat to Japan earlier in the campaign, China showed improvement but still has only six points from six games.

They remain in contention for their first World Cup since 2002. Japan will play their next qualifiers at home against Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in March.