Japan hits World Cup qualifier record in 14-goal rout of Mongolia

Japan's Sho Inagaki (L) competes for the ball with Mongolia's Amaraa Dulguun during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Asian zone Group F qualification match at Fuku-ari stadium, Chiba, Japan, March 30, 2021. (AFP Photo)

by French Press Agency - AFP

Mar 30, 2021 5:15 pm

Japan thrashed Mongolia 14-0 on Tuesday to record its biggest-ever win in World Cup qualifying.

Japan, looking to qualify for its seventh World Cup in a row, had not played a qualifier since November 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But the Blue Samurai showed no signs of rustiness as Southampton forward Takumi Minamino gave them the lead in the 13th minute, before four more goals before half-time put them in complete control.

Nine more after the break gave Japan a perfect record of five wins from five – with 26 goals scored and none conceded – although it has yet to formally clinch its place in the next round.

The game was played behind closed doors in Japan despite Mongolia being the home team, due to virus restrictions.

Minamino started the rout when he rifled a shot past the Mongolian goalkeeper, before Yuya Osako and Daichi Kamada put Japan three up after less than 30 minutes.

Another from Hidemasa Morita and an own goal from Mongolia's Khash-Erdene Tuya put Japan on easy street at half-time and Osako made it six 10 minutes after the restart.

The scorecard at Fuku-ari stadium shows the 0-14 scoreline during a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification match between Japan and Mongolia, in Chiba, Japan, March 30, 2021. (AFP Photo)

Substitute Sho Inagaki then scored on his debut, before two from Junya Ito and one from Kyogo Furuhashi sent Japan into double figures.

Furuhashi notched an 11th to set a new record for Japan in World Cup qualifying before Takuma Asano, Osako and Inagaki added three more before the final whistle.