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.
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