Yuki Abe and Hisato Sato spared new coach Ivica Osim's blushes as Japan labored past brave Yemen 2-0 to make it two wins out of two in qualifying Group A for next year's Asian Cup.
Japan's Tatsuya Tanaka shoots during the first half of an Asian Cup Group A qualifying match against
Yemen at Niigata Stadium Big Swan on Wednesday. Japan won 2-0.
KYODO PHOTO The defending Asian champions dominated in sticky conditions at Niigata Stadium Big Swan but were unable to break down the defensive Yemenis until JEF United Chiba midfielder Abe opened his national team account with a 70th-minute header.
Sato came off the bench in the dying seconds of normal time and crashed home the second in injury time to keep Japan top of their group with six points from two games.