Japan's Olympic team thrashed Macau's Olympic team 7-0.

The team considered the strongest in Group I of the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers had a spectacular opening match against the weakest opponent in the group.

Japan easily defeated Macau. Photo: Duc Dong.

The Japanese Olympic team, considered the strongest in Group I, made a statement of strength in their opening match on the afternoon of March 27th. The young "Samurai" needed only 45 minutes to seal the victory, taking a 4-0 lead against the Macau Olympic team. The goalscorers were Endo, Toyokawa Yuta, Notsuda Gakuto, and Tang Hou Fai (own goal).

In the second half, the Japanese Olympic team slowed down the pace of the game, playing as if it were a training session. But Musashi Suzuki, the Jamaican-born striker, Gakuto, and Takumi Minamino still scored three more goals, completing a spectacular goalfest in Shah Alam.

The Japanese Olympic team displayed a diverse and varied style of play. This was evident in their goals, scored from headers, long-range shots, set pieces, and coordinated plays. The players also showed great chemistry through their smooth passing combinations. It's difficult to assess the Japanese defense in this match because the players in the back line didn't have much work to do. The Macau Olympic team had very little possession (approximately 20% of the time). The white-shirted team also failed to register a single shot on target.

For the first 20 minutes, the Japanese Olympic team struggled to find a way into the penalty area because the Macau Olympic team played with a large number of defenders. Therefore, the Japanese team frequently moved the ball to the flanks to stretch the opponent's formation and mainly resorted to crosses. Their superior physique also helped this tactic to be effective.

In the 22nd minute, captain Endo broke the deadlock with a header from a corner kick. Before they could recover, Olympic Macau conceded three more goals in just 10 minutes. The second goal also came from a header, originating from a cross from the right wing. Gakuto's third goal was a thunderous shot from just outside the penalty area.

The young Macau players were so flustered that they headed the ball into their own net from a seemingly harmless cross in the 33rd minute.

Takumi (13) came on from the bench and didn't show much in the opening match. Photo: Duc Dong.

After scoring four goals in quick succession, the Japanese Olympic team played more fluidly and with a greater sense of flair. Their effective short-range one-touch passing combinations left the Macau Olympic team's defense helpless on several occasions.

In the 66th minute, Suzuki received a clever through pass from his teammate, broke free, and finished with a delicate shot.

In the final two minutes of added time, declining physical condition meant the Macau Olympic team couldn't keep up with their opponents' attacks, resulting in two goals conceded from beautifully coordinated plays.

In their second match, the Vietnamese Olympic team will face Japan, a game that promises to be very challenging for the young Southeast Asian players.

According to VNE