Japan coast to easy win over Panama

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:27 am

Hajime Moriyasu continued his winning start to life as Japan coach as the four-time Asian champions beat Panama 3-0 in a friendly on Friday.

Moriyasu followed up last month's debut victory over Costa Rica with a routine win thanks to goals from Takumi Minamino, Junya Ito and a Kengo Kawamata effort that deflected in off Harold Cummings.

Minamino put Japan in front three minutes before half-time when he turned the Panamanian defence, after receiving Toshihiro Aoyama's pass, and slotted the ball beyond Jose Calderon.

Takumi Minamino of Japan celebrates after scoring a goal.
Takumi Minamino of Japan celebrates after scoring a goal.
JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images

Japan added the second midway through the second half, as Minamino's initial shot was blocked by Calderon, only for Ito to bundle the ball over the line from close range.

Substitute Kawamata completed the scoring five minutes from full-time when, in a tussle with defender Cummings, he rolled his deflected effort home after an impressive run by Genki Haraguchi.