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JAPAN RECORD SECOND WIN IN AFC QUALIFYING

​AFC U-23 QUALIFIERS: JAPAN 2 - VIETNAM 0  

Shoya Nakajima scored a double as Japan beat Vietnam 2-0 in their second AFC U-23 Championship 2016 qualifying match at the Shah Alam Stadium on Sunday. Japan proved their status as favourite for the championships from the start of the Group I second round match, giving Vietnam no space from the kick-off.

The samurais launched continuous attacks while Vietnam struggled to stop the threat, and 22-year-old Nakajima opened the score in the 43rd minute. Nakajima and teammate Takumi Minamino combined to slot the ball past Vietnamese goalkeeper Phi Minh Long. Huynh Tan Tan of Vietnam nearly equalised just one minute later in a rare opportunity, but his shot went wide.

After the break, things looked better for coach Toshiya Miura side as they limited Japan's attacks. However, Japan secured victory in added time as Nakajima took his opprtunity brilliantly.

In another qualifying match, Malaysia recorded their first win after defeating Macau 2-0. Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim and Wan Ahmad Amir Zafran scored to keep their hopes alive.


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