Daichi Kamada scores as Japan defeats Bolivia 3-0 in Tokyo friendly
Daichi Kamada of Crystal Palace found the net to help World Cup qualifiers Japan secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bolivia in a friendly match held in Tokyo on Tuesday, wrapping up the year on a positive note.
Kamada, still searching for his first goal of the season at club level, opened the scoring with an excellent left-footed effort in the fifth minute at the National Stadium in Japan.
Shuto Machino, coming on as a substitute, netted the second goal during the middle of the second half, with Keito Nakamura adding a third after also entering as a replacement.
This result marked Japans third consecutive win in friendly fixtures, which included their inaugural triumph against Brazil, as the team aims to gain confidence for the upcoming World Cup.
Bolivia retain an opportunity to reach the competition hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The South American side will participate in an intercontinental playoff scheduled for March, following their seventh place finish in the regional qualification process.
Hajime Moriyasu, in his 100th match as Japan head coach, introduced seven alterations to the lineup from the 2-0 friendly win over Ghana last Friday.
Forward Koki Ogawa, given an uncommon starting role in place of usual striker Ayase Ueda, wasted a clear opportunity in the second minute when through on goal against just the keeper.
Three minutes on, Kamada demonstrated superior composure to his teammate by controlling the ball with his chest and then striking it into the far corner to give Japan the lead.
Bolivias Guillermo Viscarra thwarted Ogawa once more by deflecting the forwards header onto the crossbar, with Takumi Minamino narrowly missing out on the rebound.
Bolivias Fernando Nava came close to equalising around the 30-minute mark with the visitors first notable foray forward, exploiting a moment of defensive lapse from Japan.
Machino doubled the advantage shortly after his introduction from the bench by converting Nakamuras delivery from near point-blank range.
Nakamura sealed the win by creating room inside the Bolivia penalty area through clever ball control before unleashing his shot.