Japan striker Yuya Kubo, who scored twice in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Thailand in their AFC U23 Championship Group B encounter, has played down his virtuoso performance, saying that the team's victory is far more important to him. Japan, who have been to every Olympics since 1996 and finished fourth at the 2012 London Games, moved closer to the 2016 edition Rio by becoming the first team to qualify for the knockout stage of the Doha tournament.

Kubo (pictured left), who plays for Swiss Super League side BSC Young Boys, came on in the 71st minute to add more bite to the Japanese attack and notched his first goal four minutes later.

The 22-year-old beat the offside trap and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Somporn Yos for his team's third goal, before winning and converting a penalty in the 84th minute.

"My team has to win and that's the most important thing," said Kubo, who sealed Japan's berth at the AFC U23 Championship with a 1-0 win over Malaysia last May.

"It's important for my career. I'm happy and proud to represent Japan at the international level. I want to give my best and win the trophy," he added.....

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