Japan thrashes India to win fourth qualifier

CALCUTTA (Reuters) -- Asian champion Japan overcame a lethargic first half display to outplay India 4-0 in an Asian zone World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

The victory was Japan's fourth straight win in Group Three, which it tops with 12 points, ahead of second-place Oman with nine points.

Japan had thrashed India 7-0 at home in June but looked subdued in the first half against a team ranked 138th in the world.

But striker Takayuki Suzuki steered in a left-foot shot on the stroke of halftime before Japan overran their defensive opponents in the second half.

Midfielder Shinji Ono made it 2-0 almost on the hour, curling in a low free-kick before Takashi Fukunishi headed in Alex's left wing cross from close range.

Captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto rounded off the win for Japan, volleying home following an 85th minute corner.

Japan, without European-based midfielders Hidetoshi Nakata and Junichi Inamoto as well as the injured Shunsuke Nakamura, played in front of a huge crowd of around 120,000.

The second half was delayed by 30 minutes because of power failure.

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