MAYA Yoshida played 90 minutes as Japan defeated Syria 3-0 to move top of Group E in the Asian World Cup qualifiers.

AC Milan’s Keisuke Honda put Blue Samurai ahead from the penalty spot soon into the second period before Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki doubled the lead with 20 minutes left.

Takashi Usami netted late on in Muscat, Oman, to seal the result, which also goes towards the Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers.

Yoshida and his countrymen take on Iran away from home in a friendly on Tuesday 13th October.