Japan finished top of its 2018 World Cup second-round qualifying group without conceding a single goal after beating closest challenger Syria 5-0 on Tuesday night.
Japan, which had already booked its place in the 12-team final round heading into the game at Saitama Stadium, took the lead in the 17th minute through a slapstick own goal by Syrian defender Hamdi Al Massri.
Shinji Kagawa added another in the 66th minute to make the game safe before late goals from Keisuke Honda, Genki Haraguchi and another Kagawa strike added gloss to the scoreline, and Japan's defense held firm to complete a perfect defensive record of eight clean sheets.