MU's number 1 target helps Japan win the match

Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa helped Japan to an easy win over Azerbaijan in an international friendly today at Shizuoka Stadium.

The East Asian team sees the match against world-ranked 109th-ranked Azerbaijan as a warm-up for the final round of 2014 World Cup qualifiers with Oman, Australia and Jordan.

Kagawa's goal and an own goal from Agil Nabiyev decided the match. Also in this match, Arsenal player Ryo Miyaichi made his national team debut.

Kagawa shines, Japan wins - Photo: Getty

The first clear chance of the game came after a pass from Inter Milan full-back Yuto Nagatomo, but Stuttgart midfielder Shinji Okazaki failed to finish.

The home team easily dominated their opponents but it was not until the end of the first half that they opened the scoring. In the 43rd minute, Honda had a breakthrough with Hasebe before the ball reached Kagawa. The Dortmund midfielder beat the opposing defender in the penalty area before firing the opening shot.

Azerbaijan responded shortly after, with Ufuk Budak forcing the Japanese goalkeeper to show his talent with a dangerous shot in stoppage time.

Having taken the lead, Japan started the second half slowly. However, they continued to increase the score after an own goal by Agil Nabiyev. It was Kagawa again with a pass for Honda to head the ball. The ball hit Agil Nabiyev and went into the net.

After scoring one goal and contributing to the other, Kagawa was taken off and replaced by Miyaichi. The Arsenal player received a warm welcome from the Shizuoka Stadium crowd. The teenager had a great shot that Agayev had to work hard to block in the 72nd minute.

The two teams created a few more chances but failed to capitalize on them. The 2-0 score remained until the end of the match. Japan had an easy victory over Azerbaijan and thereby created good psychological momentum before the tense matches in the World Cup qualifiers.

According to Thethaovanhoa.vn - DT