Takahara scored twice and Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura converted a penalty as the defending champions overcame the hot and humid conditions at My Dinh National Stadium to send the Gulf Cup champions crashing out of the tournament.

Japan had to win the game in order to keep their hopes of going for their fourth overall Asian Cup title alive after being held to a 1-1 draw by Qatar in their opening Group B match on Monday.

"I'm pleased with the win," said Takahara. "I was hoping to grab a win so that we would find our rhythm.

"Getting this good result can help encourage us to play better in the coming game. In a tournament like this, the more you win the stronger you get."

The Eintracht Frankfurt striker found the net in the 22nd and 27th minutes and he admitted he just aims to be in the right place at the right time.

"I always try to be in the position where I can score when we get a chance. That's important to me," said Takahara.

"The United Arab Emirates didn't play too defensively against us and I was looking for a space to move in [for scoring]."

Japan and Gamba Osaka midfielder Yasuhito Endo said he and his team-mates were determined to do well going into Friday's game.

"Everyone was up for the game from the very start," said Endo. "The win has given us more confidence."

But Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was not getting carried away ahead of their next game against Vietnam.

With a win there, Japan can win the group and with it a place in the quarter-finals.

"We should review the fact that we gave up one goal when we had more players than the opponents," Kawaguchi said.

Takahara, who motioned to the bench for substitution and was taken off in the 67th minute, admitted that he was feeling sick during the game after he had got little sleep the night before.

"I thought that it would be better for our team to play with a fresh player," said Takahara.

"But I will be ready for the next game. I have no intention to sit out."