Japanese striker Naohiro Takahara scored twice to help the defending champions crush the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 3-1 in a group B match at the AFC Asian Cup here Friday evening. In the 22nd minute, Takahara, who scored unbelievable 11 goals for Frankfurt in Bundesliga last season, defeated UAE goalkeeper Majed Maqdemi with a blitz header just outside the box after latching onto a medium pass from the left wing.
Four minutes later, the umarked Japanese striker doubled the lead by a sudden low shot which made the UAE goalie stand still.
Before the break, Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura extended the lead by converting a penalty kick after the UAE goalie committed a foul in the 39th minute.
UAE forward Saeed Alkas dealt a powerful shot after receiving a long spectacular pass from his team mate in the 67th minute, beating Japanese goalie Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and netting the consolation goal.
Japanese players frequently laid a siege to the box of the UAE, forcing the UAE goalkeeper made several fine saves.
So far, Japan, with four points from two matches, overtook co-host Vietnam, who also had four points, to top the group B with more goals. Qatar is in the third place with two ties while the UAE is at the bottom with two losses.
Japan will take on co-host Vietnam, and the UAE will play Qatar on Monday.