Japan bounced back from an early scare to claim a 4-2 victory against Vietnam in its opening Asian Cup Group D clash on Sunday.
The Samurai Blue's French connection delivered at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, with Monaco's Takumi Minamino bagging a brace and Reims' Keito Nakamura restoring the lead late in the first half after Vietnam stunned the four-time Asian champions by going up 2-1.
Hajime Moriyasu's side, which is 17th in the world rankings, dominated possession but showed its vulnerability to counterattacks and set pieces against a 94th-ranked Vietnam team managed by former Japan boss Philippe Troussier, who led the Samurai Blue to the 2000 Asian Cup title and the 2002 World Cup last 16.