Match Report
11 points and 1 places separated them: Japan 1st with 24, Tajikistan 2nd with 13. Tajikistan had been under-performing their position — 22nd on five-round form against 2nd in the table. Scoring rates set the scale: Japan 5.75 scored and 0.25 conceded per game, Tajikistan 1.75 and 1.5, with the league averaging 1.5.
Japan came in having won three on the spin.
A. Al Jassim officiated: 100 games logged, averaging 2.5 yellow cards each. On the scoreboard, Japan led 2-1 at the break; 2 second-half goals set the final 4-1.
Key stats
Possession: Japan 66% · Tajikistan 34% · Total shots: 13-1 · On target: 9-1 · Corners: 3-0