Japan to meet Yugoslavia in semis

Japan stormed into the semi-finals of the Sahara Cup Millennium football tournament, whipping Jordan 4-0 in the last quarter-final at the Salt Lake stadium in Calcutta on Sunday.

The winners, who led 1-0 at the breather, did well to exploit a sloppy defence and win easily.

Medio Fujita Yoshimasa put Japan ahead in the 30th minute of the first half.

In the second session three quick goals from striker Keisuke Ota, Keiji Yoshimura and substitute Hideki Sekine took the match away from the Jordanians.

Japan will meet Yugoslavia in the second semi-final at the same venue on Tuesday while tournament favourites Chile will take on Bosnia in the first semi-final on Monday.

Japan forged ahead in the 30th minute, when Yoshimasa found the net with a scorching 25 yard pile driver.

In the second session, the younger and fitter Japs scored twice in two minutes to make sure of a berth in the last four stage.

In the 54th minute striker Keisuke Ota brilliantly headed home from inside the box following a measured flagkick by Takuya Mikami.

Two minutes later, Keiji Yoshimura latched on to a pass from Takuya Mikami.

The third goal was the result of a defensive lapse as the defenders made no effort to foil Mikami after he penetrated the rival citadel.

The young Japanese piled up the agony on their rivals as they pumped in another goal in the 66th minute with substitute Hideki Sekine finding the target with a crisp right footer following a cross from Takuya Mikami.

Jordan, who were at the receiving end for most of part of the contest, were reduced to ten players early in the second session when medio Hassouneh Sheikh Qasem was given marching orders by Indian referee B K Singh.