Japan delivered a masterclass in a 5-0 thrashing of Syria in their FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) match on June 11, 2024. The one-sided victory, kicking off at 18:10, was a stark reminder of Japan's status as one of Asia's elite teams, as they dismantled their opponents with ruthless efficiency and technical superiority. The match process saw Japan score early to set the tone, add two more before halftime to kill the contest, and then cruise through the second half with two further goals to complete the rout. The standout performance came from Japan's attacking midfielders and wingers, whose movement and interplay were too much for Syria to handle, creating chance after chance. This result solidified Japan's position at the summit of their qualification group with a perfect record, while Syria's goal difference took a severe hit in the battle for second place. The Japan manager would have been pleased with the intensity and focus shown by his team, while the Syria coach acknowledged the vast gap in quality on the day. Japan's starting XI was filled with European-based stars who seamlessly translated their club form to the international stage.