The Samurai Blue secured their spot in the next round of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup on Friday, with Werder Bremen striker Yuya Osako scoring four goals in a decisive 10-0 win over outmatched Myanmar in Chiba.

The result against FIFA¡¯s 139th-ranked side ensured Japan of a first-place finish in Group F ¡ª which also includes Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia ¡ª with two games to spare.

¡°We¡¯ve reached the next round thanks to the players working hard in each match to get results and improve themselves,¡± Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said. ¡°Even after the result was more or less decided we stayed aggressive and kept going for another goal.