Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Shah Alam: Shoya Nakajima scored a double as Japan downed Vietnam 2-0 in their second AFC U-23 Championship 2016 qualifying tie at the Shah Alam Stadium on Sunday.
With hosts Malaysia having downed Macau 2-0 in an earlier game, the winner’s ticket to the finals remains available for Japan, the Malaysians and Vietnam in Group I’s last matches on Tuesday.
Nakajima scored his first goal two minutes before the half-time break against Vietnam and registered his second three minutes in stoppage time of the second period.
Makoto Teguramori-led Japan will play Malaysia hoping winless Macau will defeat Vietnam in Tuesday’s other game to win the group and advance to the tournament proper.
Ten group winners and five best second-placed teams from all groups will join hosts Qatar at the AFC U-23 Championship 2016, with January’s 16-team competition also serving as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in Rio.