Takumi Minamino converted a first-half penalty and Genki Haraguchi doubled the lead with a free kick after the break as Japan overcame a determined Kyrgyzstan 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday.
With the victory at a chilly Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Group F leader Japan maintained its perfect winning record in the second round of Asian qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
Playing in the new "Clear Sky Japan" kit for the first time, Hajime Moriyasu's men had their hands full early against a Kyrgyzstan side eager to quickly push forward on the counterattack.