Japan picked up their first win of the 2016 Toulon Tournament with a 2-1 triumph over Guinea.
They took the lead within the opening minutes through Cayman Togashi, but Bangaly Soumah hit back moments later.
Takumi Minamino's strike on half-time settled the contest, as neither side could grab a goal after the interval.
Fiery and frantic first half
It didn't take long at all for the game to get going, and Japan found themselves ahead after just three minutes. Hiromu Mitsumaru found space on the left before taking aim with a cross. The left-back made the most of the opportunity, finding an unmarked Togashi who opened his foot up to volley home first-time.
Their joy was short-lived, however, as Guinea responded just seven minutes later. A seemingly innocuous ball back to Masatoshi Kushibiki proved to be anything but as he and Sai Van Vermeskerken hesitated to allowed Soumah to nip in. He managed to get enough on the ball to see it trundle into the net; out of nothing Guinea were level.
In what proved to be a superbly open encounter, Japan should have been back in the lead just moments later. Mitsumaru's crossing was the source of the chance once more, though Togashi couldn't head home from close range. Guinea created chances of their own and both Amadou Diallo and Cherif Tasfir came close to a second.
Japan pilled on the pressure towards the end of the half, with both Togashi and Minamino wasting good opportunities to retake the lead. Eventually, though, the latter would get his side back in front. After good play in midfield, he managed to work room on the edge of the area before striking home in the bottom corner just before the break.
Sorry second half follows
The second half was still open, but lacked the cutting edge that was present in the first period. Togashi got into several promising positions but couldn't quite take full advantage as he lost his footing. The biggest opening came at the other end, as a mistake in defence meant Genta Miura was required to clear off the line from Soumah.
It was a much tougher half physically, with both sets of players starting to tire despite the constant substitutions. These seemed to take the rhythm out of the play and force the two teams into hopeful attempts from range. Despite their best efforts, neither team could add to the scoreline and Japan secured their first win of the tournament.