Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — Japan 1st with 23 points, Syria 3rd with 7, 16 apart. Syria's recent output lagged their position: 43rd on form over five rounds while 3rd in the table. In league terms the two rates read 3/0.3 for Japan and 1.5/2 for Syria (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.4.
National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo staged the fixture, a ground that holds 39,694. On the scoreboard, Japan led 3-0 at the break; 2 second-half goals set the final 5-0.