<p>Midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura was among the scorers for Japan, forced to qualify for the tournament after losing the third-place playoff to South Korea two years ago. The "Blue Samurai" have nine points from three matches in Group A, putting the three-times Asian Cup champions within reach of the finals in Qatar. <br /><br />German-based midfielder Makoto Hasebe lashed a fierce right-foot shot into the top corner from 25 metres to put the visitors ahead in the 32nd minute. <br /><br />Japan added a second goal in the 74th through a header from substitute Hisato Sato. <br />Nakamura curled in a free kick 10 minutes later before striker Shinji Okazaki converted a penalty in the last minute for his 15th goal in 20 internationals.</p>
<p>Midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura was among the scorers for Japan, forced to qualify for the tournament after losing the third-place playoff to South Korea two years ago. The "Blue Samurai" have nine points from three matches in Group A, putting the three-times Asian Cup champions within reach of the finals in Qatar. <br /><br />German-based midfielder Makoto Hasebe lashed a fierce right-foot shot into the top corner from 25 metres to put the visitors ahead in the 32nd minute. <br /><br />Japan added a second goal in the 74th through a header from substitute Hisato Sato. <br />Nakamura curled in a free kick 10 minutes later before striker Shinji Okazaki converted a penalty in the last minute for his 15th goal in 20 internationals.</p>