Four-time champion Japan made the perfect start to its Asian Cup defense with a 4-0 whipping of tournament debutant Palestine on Monday.
Yasuhito Endo marked his fourth Asian Cup with the opener after eight minutes, and further goals from Shinji Okazaki and Keisuke Honda put Japan out of sight at the break.
Maya Yoshida headed the fourth early in the second half and Palestine's misery was compounded when it had defender Ahmed Mahajna sent off 17 minutes from time.