Japan, a favorite in the E-1 Football Championship, showcased their formidable attacking power against Hong Kong, China, securing a dominant 6-1 victory. Their relentless attack began early. In the 4th minute, Germain Ryo opened the scoring with a left-footed volley on his international debut. Just six minutes later, he found the net again with a header, putting Hong Kong, China's defense under immense pressure. Japan continued to control the game with ease. In the 20th minute, Sho Inagaki added a third with a powerful long-range strike, and by the 22nd, Germain Ryo completed his hat-trick, earning applause from head coach Hajime Moriyasu. Remarkably, in the 26th minute, Ryo calmly slotted the ball home for his fourth goal of the match. The first half ended with Japan holding a commanding 5-0 lead.
Hong Kong, China, however, didn’t leave empty-handed. In the 59th minute, Matthew Orr salvaged some pride with a header from a corner kick. Japan added one more goal just before the final whistle. In stoppage time (90+3’), Sota Nakamura dribbled into the center before firing a shot that sealed Japan’s sixth. The match ended in a resounding 6-1 victory for Japan. Featuring a squad of standout J.League players, Japan showcased their strength from the outset, raising expectations for a championship run. For Hong Kong, China, returning to the E-1 Football Championship after a long absence, getting on the scoresheet offered a glimmer of hope for the matches ahead.