Japan defeated Bahrain in emphatic fashion on Tuesday, 5-0, thanks to goals from J.League alums Ayase Ueda, Hidemasa Morita, and Koki Ogawa to take over sole possession of first place in Group C of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Former Kashima Antlers man Ueda and Kawasaki Frontale product Morita each scored two goals as the Samurai Blue raced to a victory that put them on six points from two matches in Group C with a spectacular +12 goal difference.

Japan dominated from the start, with former Gamba Osaka star Ritsu Doan hitting the post early on, but it took until the 37th minute before they went ahead.

A handball by Bahrain earned the Samurai Blue a penalty and Ueda smashed the ball into the back of the net from the spot for the opening goal.

Ueda doubled the Japan lead two minutes after halftime when he got on the end of a crisp team move and blasted a shot off the inside of the post and in for the 2-0 advantage.

Ueda then played the role of provider, laying the ball off for Morita to finish to make it 3-0 in the 61st minute.

Morita got his brace a mere three minutes later, getting on the end of a cross from former Frontale teammate Kaoru Mitoma for the four-goal lead.

The Samurai Blue added one more tally late on when a pair of substitutes made an impact. Former Gamba star Keito Nakamura hit a good shot that was saved, but Koki Ogawa, who starred at Júbilo Iwata, Mito Hollyhock and Yokohama FC, raced in to knock the rebound home and wrap up a five-star performance for Japan.

Japan have a two-point lead in Group C ahead of second-place Saudi Arabia, who they will play in their next match on October 10. With the top two teams in the group qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Samurai Blue are in terrific shape through two matches as this talented group of J.League stars present and past continues to shine on the global stage.