The Associated Press Host Japan defeated Myanmar 3-0 on Thursday in the first leg of an 2004 Olympics second-round qualifier at National Stadium.
Japan got on the score sheet shortly after halftime when midfielder Daisuke Matsui fired a low blast through heavy traffic.
Cerezo Osaka's Yoshito Okubo made it 2-0 when he beat three defenders and fired a right-foot shot over the Myanmar goalkeeper.
Japan sealed the victory late in the second half on an injury-time goal by forward Satoshi Nakayama.