Japan’s fabulous run of form continued on Friday as they dominated Canada in a 4-1 win. Ao Tanaka scored a pair of goals to lead the way for the Samurai Blue, who have now won five in a row as their run to this winter’s Asian Cup continues.

The Samurai Blue met Canada at the home of Albirex Niigata, Denka Big Swan Stadium and the large crowd was given reason to cheer right from the start. Tanaka, a Kawasaki Frontale product, let go a shot from outside the box that took a slight deflection and found the back of the net to give Japan a lead inside of two minutes.

Japan pushed on and created several more chances in the minutes that followed the opening goal, but they were turned away. That gave Canada a chance to equalize when Keisuke Osako was late off his line and committed a foul for a penalty, but the Sanfrecce Hiroshima goalkeeper redeemed himself by saving the spot kick to preserve the Japan lead.

The match turned back to the other side of the pitch, where Japan continued to create chances. Finally, their pressure turned into another goal when a cross was directed into the goal by Canada’s Alphonso Davies, doubling the Japan lead.

Just before the break, the Samurai Blue scored once more. Former Sanfrecce star Takuma Asano raced in behind the Canada defense, drew multiple defenders and the goalkeeper then squared for Keito Nakamura. The former Gamba Osaka standout simply had to knock the ball into an empty net and Japan were headed to halftime with a 3-0 lead.

Japan started the second half like the first half ended. Junya Ito, who starred at Kashiwa Reysol, hit a gorgeous flick for Tanaka, who buried his second goal of the game on the half-volley and the Samurai Blue had themselves a four-goal advantage.

Canada got a goal back in the waning minutes, but Japan’s superiority was already assured. They had played marvelously once again and had a 4-1 win to show for it.

The Samurai Blue have now beaten Canada, Turkey, Germany, Peru and El Salvador in their last five matches by a combined score of 22-5. Hajime Moriyasu’s squad is flying high and now they head to Kobe, where they will square off against Tunisia on Tuesday to wrap up the October international window.