Takumi Minamino scores twice as Japan see off Vietnam at Asian Cup

Japan overcame an early scare against a game Vietnam side to make a winning start to Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Sunday.

Takumi Minamino's first-half brace was followed by a sublime curled effort from the Reims winger Keito Nakamura as the four-time champions took a 3-2 lead into the break. Substitute Ayase Ueda blasted home through a crowded penalty box to make the game safe in the closing stages.

The Samurai Blue were heavily favoured against the Vietnamese but found themselves up against a well-coached side with a game plan and, in particular, one ready to make the most of any attacking set pieces that came their way.

To that end they scored twice from such situations in a frenzied opening 45 minutes. The problem for Philippe Troussier's side, however, was that Japan scored three goals of their own, largely thanks to their superior individual quality.

The pattern of the game was established early on with Japan dominating the ball and the Vietnamese defending in numbers and looking to play direct into Pham Tuan Hai as a focal point for their own attacking raids – but with 11 minutes on the clock they found themselves behind.

Some unconvincing goalkeeping helped hand Japan the breakthrough as Vietnam's Czech-born custodian Filip Nguyen flapped at a cross and was all over the place as Yukinari Sugawara drilled it back into the danger area and Minamino tucked home the loose ball.

At that point it seemed the Japanese were in for a routine start to their campaign in Qatar, but Vietnam's dead-ball prowess soon helped them draw level.

Do Hung Dung whipped a corner to the near post and the impressive Nguyen Dinh Bac flicked an audacious looping header over everyone and just inside the far