Fans caught a glimpse of some of the young soccer players set to represent Japan at the 2008 Beijing Olympics on Wednesday evening.
Japan's Under 21s eased to a 2-0 victory over their Chinese counterparts in front of 21,190 supporters at Tokyo's National Stadium.
Yohei Kajiyama showed great technique to put Japan 1-0 ahead on 17 minutes when the FC Tokyo midfielder directed a Takuya Kokeguchi cross from the left past China goalkeeper Wang Dalei with a brilliant header.
Teammate Sota Hirayama, the most high-profile player in the all-J. League squad, made it 2-0 on 82 minutes when he bundled in a deep cross from Hokuto Nakamura, with replays showing the ball went in off the forward's upper arm.
"A Maradona-style goal," is how China coach Ratomir Dujkovic jokingly described it, referring to the Argentine's infamous "Hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 World Cup finals.
Japan's youngsters on display -- aged between 19- and 21-years old -- will form the core of the squad that represents the country at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
The Olympic soccer tournament is essentially limited to Under-23 teams.
"We missed some good chances and Japan punished us with two goals -- that was the difference. They are a fast and strong team, but we are good and can get better," Dujkovic said.
Japan's U-21s beat the Chinese by the same scoreline in a friendly in August.
Japan coach Yasuharu Sorimachi's young charges play two friendly games against South Korea next month before heading to Doha to represent Japan in the Asian Games in December.