体坛新闻：Japan beat UAE 3-1 at Asian Cup

In the 22nd minute, Takahara, who scored unbelievable 11 goals for Frankfurt in Bundesliga last season, defeated UAE goalkeeper Majed Maqdemi with a blitz header just outside the box after latching onto a medium pass from the left wing.

Four minutes later, the umarked Japanese striker doubled the lead by a sudden low shot which made the UAE goalie stand still.

Before the break, Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura extended the lead by converting a penalty kick after the UAE goalie committed a foul in the 39th minute.

UAE forward Saeed Alkas dealt a powerful shot after receiving a long spectacular pass from his team mate in the 67th minute, beating Japanese goalie Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and netting the consolation goal.

Japanese players frequently laid a siege to the box of the UAE, forcing the UAE goalkeeper made several fine saves.

So far, Japan, with four points from two matches, overtook co-host Vietnam, who also had four points, to top the group B with more goals. Qatar is in the third place with two ties while the UAE is at the bottom with two losses.

Japan will take on co-host Vietnam, and the UAE will play Qatar on Monday.