Japan’s preparations for this winter’s Asian Cup continued at warp speed on Thursday as the Samurai Blue thrashed El Salvador, 6-0, in a friendly at Nagoya Grampus’ Toyota Stadium.

Shogo Taniguchi, who spent nine years at Kawasaki Frontale, headed home off a free kick inside of a minute and the Samurai Blue never looked back from there.

Ayase Ueda drew a penalty and red card in the fourth minute and the former Kashima Antlers standout buried the spot kick to double the Japan lead.

Former F.C.Tokyo man Takefusa Kubo found the back of the net in the 25th minute and Gamba Osaka product Ritsu Doan got on the scoresheet just before halftime, giving the Samurai Blue a 4-0 lead at the break.

Another former Gamba man, Keito Nakamura, was on the mark to add to the Japan lead on the hour mark then Kyogo Furuhashi, fresh off his Scottish Premier League Player of the Season campaign, found the back of the net to cap a dominant performance by the Samurai Blue.

It was a great showing for Hajime Moriyasu’s men, who were strong at the back, assured in the midfield and energetic up front with the finishing to match in a total performance that will help Japan continue building towards the Asian Cup later this year.

The Samurai Blue will be back in action on Tuesday when they wrap up the international window with a friendly against Peru at Gamba’s Panasonic Stadium Suita.