OITA -- Junichi Inamoto's first-half goal gave Japan a 1-0 win over Yugoslavia and the Kirin Cup title Wednesday night at the brand-new Oita Stadium.

Japan won the annual tournament for the second year in a row and fifth time overall since the three-nation tournament changed its format to an international A event in 1992.

But Yugoslavia midfielder Dragan "Pixy" Stojkovic failed to celebrate his final game with his national team with a win.

Japan coach Philippe Troussier stressed the success of his team came from teamwork.

"We won this cup because we played as a unit," Troussier said, "We attacked aggressively with speed and intelligence and also had good defense. This will give us confidence to go further."

Despite playing in harsh humidity and high heat, the Japanese players took control of the game.

The winner came in the 21st minute when Inamoto, receiving a pass from left winger Shinji Ono, drove up the middle of the field and played a 1-2 with Atsushi Yanagisawa. After receiving the ball from the Antlers striker on the edge of the box, the Europe-bound Inamoto volleyed home. "As I hadn't scored any goals although I'd played some 20 matches, I'm happy with my goal today," said the Gamba Osaka defensive midfielder. "Whenever we had space, I decided to go on the attack to help our offense. I think our team has started building up our attack since the Confederations Cup."

The Japanese side attacked the space behind the Yugoslav defenders with through balls for their half-chances, which were often called offside. But the hosts use their pace to attack and perhaps should have added another goal in the second half.

Antlers forward Takayuki Suzuki's close-range shot in the 63rd minute was punched away by Yugoslav goalkeeper Sasa Stevanovic and five minutes later the Kashima star hit the right post. Inamoto also hit a shot a few inches wide of the post in the 71st minute.

Substitute midfielder Teruyoshi Ito missed a clear scoring chance off a pass from substitute forward Masashi Nakayama in the 91st minute by hitting a shot over the bar. A minute later, substitute goalkeeper Predrag Ristovic reacted well to block back-to-back shots from Inamoto and Nakayama.

But the visitors also didn't give up the fight until the very end.

Stojkovic, a two-time World Cup player, hit a shot in the 33rd minute from the right of the box and the ball rolled to Igor Bogdanovic who fired off a shot from 15 meters only to see the ball palmed away by Japan goalie Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.

Partizan Beograd midfielder Goran Trobok hit a shot just over the bar in the 42nd minute and Stojkovic's cut-in shot from the right in the 60th minute was cleared by Japan defender Naoki Matsuda. During second-half injury time, substitute forward Borislav Stevanovic hit the right post. "Our team played better today than the game against Paraguay, but it was a pity we couldn't win," said Stojkovic.

Stojkovic completed his national team career with his 84th international game. He made his international debut Nov. 12, 1983, against France, a 0-0 draw in Zagreb.

"After the first half, I couldn't help thinking about the end of this match. I had many feelings inside me and lost my concentration," confessed Stojkovic, who has played for Nagoya Grampus Eight since 1994. He will leave the J. League club at the end of the first stage on July 21.

The 36-year-old Grampus idol received a large cheer when his name was announced for the Yugoslavia team before the game and chants of "Pixy, Ole!" could be heard during and after the match from the sold-out crowd of 38,147.

The return of Nishizawa

OSAKA -- Akinori Nishizawa is to rejoin Cerezo Osaka following a disappointing loan spell at Spanish First Division side Espanyol, sources close to the Japan striker said Wednesday.

According to the sources, Nishizawa, who met with Cerezo vice president Tadao Onishi on Wednesday to discuss his return to the J. League side, has already completed the necessary paperwork to reregister as a Cerezo squad member.

Nishizawa, who was released by Espanyol last month, will rejoin his teammates Friday and could make his comeback appearance on the opening day of the J. League's second stage on Aug. 11. Nishizawa failed to find the net in six league and cup appearances during his six-month spell at the Barcelona side.