Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa and Leicester City hitman Shinji Okazaki both scored twice as Japan destroyed Afghanistan 6-0 on Tuesday to pick up its second win in Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Masato Morishige and Keisuke Honda were also on target in the lopsided win in neutral Iran to help Vahid Halilhodzic's men improve to seven points from three games in second-round Group E.
Syria remained in the top spot ahead of Japan after smashing Cambodia 6-0 for its third straight win in the other Group E game.