Brando's brace takes Japan to comfortable 3-0 win over India

Bangalore, Oct 11 (UNI) Riding on a brilliant brace by Ryuji Brando, Japan comfortably defeated India 3-0 in the AFC Asia Cup qualifying match played at Sree Kanteerava Stadium here today.

Japan, with four World Cuppers in its side, held an upper hand right from the start, but India did well to ooze in some competition in the second half with some spirited display. The Indians created some fine chances in the first 15 minutes of the second half and held better exchanges with the ball, intruding into the rival areas most often during this period.

Allesandro Santos played a pivotal role in setting up the first two goals, aiding Brando with fine crosses from the left. Brando put the visitors in the lead in the 23rd minute and later doubled the score brilliantly, heading home another fine cross from Allesandro in the 44th minute. Kengo Nakamura, who sent in a sizzling 25 yard kick, completed the tally, scoring nine minutes before the final whistle.

The Indian midfield should have done better in the first half, but failed to aid its skipper Baichung Bhutia and Manjit Singh up.

The two forwards had little to do in the first half as the midfield remained detached, leaving the Indian forwards hardly any chance to score.

However, the second half saw India come back strongly, but poor finishes and a brilliant save by Japanese keeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi made sure they never opened the account.

Despite Japan not conceding a goal, they failed to play to their top billing. The score line should have been higher, but Indian keeper Sandip Nandi did well to pull off some brilliant saves.

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