The Hindu : Japan blanks Myanmar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 02, 2003

Sport

Sport - Football

Japan blanks Myanmar

Tokyo May 1. The 2002 World Cup co-host Japan got off to a winning start beating Myanmar 3-0 today in the first leg of the Asian qualifiers second round tie for the Athens Olympic Games next year.

Daisuke Matsui and Yoshito Okubo were on target, while second-half substitute Satoshi Nakayama, who netted an off- side goal in the 77th minute, completed the scoring in injury time.

The Japanese, who received a first-round bye, controlled the match from the very outset, encamping in the Myanmar field for most of the time and never allowing the visitors to have a clear scoring chance.

Only four minutes into the match, Matsui fired a sizzling shot, which hit the bar, and then the home side continued to threaten the Myanmar goal repeatedly.

Aoki's header two minutes later and Yuki Abe's free kick from just outside the area in the 23rd minute went wide, while Myanmar goalkeeper Aung Aung Oo fell on the ground to save a lightning shot off Naohiro Ishikawa in the 38th.

Myanmar had to wait until the first-half injury time for their first shot on goal -- too far out for Forestry FC midfielder Aung Kyaw Tun to score. — AFP

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