Japan kicked off their men’s football tournament at the Olympics in spectacular fashion as Shunsuke Mito and Shota Fujio scored two goals each to lead the Samurai Blue to a 5-0 victory over Paraguay.

The U-23 side representing Japan is made up primarily of Meiji Yasuda J.League talents, combined with several other stars who used to play in the domestic competition before joining their current European clubs, and they were firing from the very start.

Japan had multiple chances to score early on before Mito, an Albirex Niigata product, broke through in the 18th minute with a finish off a cross from Urawa Reds’ left back Ayumu Ohata.

Shortly after, Paraguay were reduced to 10 men when Wilder Viera was shown a red card for a bad tackle.

Up a man, Japan were in total control and just missed on adding to their lead on several occasions before halftime.

After the break, the Samurai Blue poured it on. A magnificent play by former Yokohama FC man Koki Saito set up Mito to double the Japan lead before Rihito Yamamoto, who played at both Tokyo Verdy and Gamba Osaka, ripped a shot from distance and put the Samurai Blue up 3-0.

Japan boss Go Oiwa then went to his bench, calling Fujio on as a substitute. The FC Machida Zelvia star answered the call in spectacular fashion, scoring twice — first on an assist from current FC Tokyo man Ryotaro Araki (on loan from Kashima Antlers) and then with the help of Kashiwa Reysol forward Mao Hosoya.

The Samurai Blue finished Matchday 1 of the Olympics on top of Group D on three points. They will return to match action in three days against Mali, who drew Israel, 1-1, in the group's other contest.