Perkasa In Group C Qualifying For The 2026 World Cup, Japan Does Not Want To Be Self-Satisfied

JAKARTA - Japan again won when they played the sixth matchday of Group C of the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

Samurai Blue beat China 3-1 at Xiamen Egret on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

The victory made Hajime Moriyasu's team firm at the top of the standings with a collection of 16 points.

The very far points from competitors in Group C brought Japan on the verge of going straight to the 2026 World Cup finals.

You see, the second-ranked team, Australia, is nine points clear of Japan. However, Moriyasu asked his troops not to be complacent.

"Even though we won the game, it was a tough game. We lasted a long time and then scored two goals through set pieces. I'm very happy to win."

"China is completely different from the team we beat 7-0 in the first meeting. They showed great potential from the start."

"Coach (Branko) Ivankovic makes every player play with their full potential. If China scored the first goal, the result might be different," Moriyasu said on the AFC website.

Japan took a 2-0 lead from China in the first half through goals from Koki Ogawa and Ko Itakura.

China then narrowed the gap at the start of the second half through Lin Liangming, before Ogawa's second goal confirmed the full points for the Blue Samurai.

Meanwhile, the Third Round of 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian Zone still leaves four matches to be held starting March 2025.

Japan actually only needed one more win to ensure tickets to the 2026 World Cup finals.

However, Hajime Moriyasu again did not want his troops to aim for appearances in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers as the main target.

Moriyasu emphasized that the Blue Samurai must rely on a bigger target, winning the 2026 World Cup.

"Although we were able to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in March 2025, our target is to win the World Cup," said Moriyasu.