NewsWataru Endo captains Japan to 4-2 win in Asian Cup opener

Liverpool midfielder Endo completed the full 90 minutes of Sunday’s Group D contest and registered an assist for Takumi Minamino’s second goal of the match, which pulled the Samurai Blue level at 2-2 on the stroke of half-time.

Former Red Minamino had earlier opened the scoring at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, but Vietnam quickly equalised and threatened an upset by going 2-1 up shortly after the half-hour mark.

However, Endo fed Minamino with a clever pass to cancel that lead out, before Keito Nakamura restored Japan’s lead in first-half stoppage time.

And a late strike by Ayase Ueda sealed the three points for Endo’s side, who next face Iraq on Friday.

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