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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, March 19, 2004

Japan soccer team qualify for Athens

Japan became the first Asian side to qualify for the Olympic Games in August as they crushed 10-man United Arab Emirates 3-0, AFC website reported on Mar. 19.


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Japan became the first Asian side to qualify for the Olympic Games in August as they crushed 10-man United Arab Emirates 3-0, AFC website reported on Mar. 19.

Japan eased to a lop-sided victory, which gave the East Asian side 13 points from six games to top Group B.

Bahrain followed at heel with 11 points after they managed a 1-1 tie with Lebanon also in Tokyo.

Japan went into their final match in the group level on 10 points with Bahrain, but with a superior goal difference. However, any nerves that they may have had were settled in the 12th minute as defender Daisuke Nasu, who missed Japan's win against Lebanon on Tuesday due to suspension, rose unmarked in the UAE box to head home Yuki Abe's free kick.

It was only a matter of time before AFC Young Player of the Year Yoshito Okubo fired the ball home from close range three minutes from break.

Okubo found the net again two minutes into the second half as he blasted home at the second attempt after his initial shot had rocked the crossbar.

Meanwhile at the Nishigaoka Stadium, Bahrain, who stunned Japan with a 1-0 win over Yamamoto's team on Sunday night in Saitama, took the lead against Lebanon after 25 minutes but struggled thereafter to show the form that had taken them to within touching distance of the Olympic Games.

Source: Xinhua


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