Japan wrapped up its preparations for next week's intriguing World Cup qualifier against North Korea with a routine 3-0 win over 10-man Syria in a friendly on Wednesday evening.
Keiji Tamada contests a ball with a Syrian defender during Wednesday's international soccer friendly at Saitama Stadium 2002. Japan prevailed 3-0.
Japan dictated the pace of the game from start to finish on a bitterly cold evening at Saitama Stadium 2002 but had to wait until just before halftime to open the scoring through Takayuki Suzuki.
Syria was reduced to 10 men just after the hour and Japan captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto marked his return to the side with the second goal in the 69th minute before Mitsuo Ogasawara sealed the win later on.