Match Report
Turkmenistan (4th, 0 pts) visited Japan (1st, 9 pts) with 9 points between them. Turkmenistan ranked just 21st in the league on five-round form despite their 4th table position. Per game in the league, Japan were scoring 2 and conceding 1, Turkmenistan 1 and 3.33, against a competition average of 1.33 goals per team per game.
Defeat had not touched Japan in 5 games, having scored in 6 consecutive games.
The match was played at Al Nahyan Stadium (Abū ẓabī (Abu Dhabi)) (capacity 12,000). Half-time and full-time told different stories: Turkmenistan led 1-0 at the break, before 4 more goals closed it at 3-2.
Goal scorers
Japan: Yuya Osako (56'), Yuya Osako (60'), Ritsu Doan (71') · Turkmenistan: A. Amanow (26'), A. Ataýew (79')
Key stats
Possession: Japan 70% · Turkmenistan 30% · Total shots: 21-9 · On target: 6-4 · Corners: 5-2