The Blue Samurai scored the surprise win courtesy of a goal in the 34th minute from Yuki Otsu following some questionable defending from Martin Montoya.

Kensuke Nagai and Hiroshi Kiyotake could have made it a more comfortable win for Takashi Sekizuka's side as both wasted good chances either side of half-time.

But their opponents struggled to trouble Shuichi Gonda in the Japan goal, particularly after Inigo Martinez's sending-off at the end of the first half.

In the group's other match, Morocco came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw against Honduras.

Pim Verbeek’s charges took the lead six minutes before half-time when Abdelaziz Barrada thundered in a superb volley, only to see their opponents draw level from close range 10 minutes after the break through Jerry Bengtson before sending his side into the lead from the penalty spot shortly afterwards.

However, the advantage lasted just two minutes when highly rated Zakaria Labyad dinked the ball over the advancing Jose Mendoza.

Morocco survived a nervous finish to the game when left-back Zakarya Bergdich was given his marching orders in the 71st minute for kicking out at Mario Martinez.