Kazuki Ganaha struck twice as Japan ended the year on a high with a comprehensive 3-1 defeat of Saudi Arabia in the final match of its qualifying campaign for the 2007 Asian Cup on Wednesday.
Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka scores a goal in the 20th minute of the Asian Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday at Sapporo Dome. Japan won 3-1.
KYODO PHOTO Both defending champion Japan and the Saudis had already booked their spots in the July 7-29 finals but Ganaha's double in front of almost 41,000 at Sapporo Dome ensured the home side claimed Group A bragging rights.
Japan, which had a 1-0 away loss to the Saudis in September, finished with 15 points and took the group by virtue of a better goal difference in head-to-head results against the Gulf side.