NEW DELHI: Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi made his first international appearance in nine months for Japan and scored a goal as the hosts secured a comfortable 6-0 victory against El Salvador in a home friendly match in Toyota City.
Despite his impressive performance and being named Scotland's Player of the Year after netting 27 goals for Celtic during the season, Furuhashi was not selected for Japan's World Cup squad.
Japan started the match with a strong attacking lineup, featuring talents like Takefusa Kubo and Kaoru Mitoma.
They got off to a fantastic start, with Shogo Taniguchi heading home from a Kubo free-kick in the first minute.
A minute later, El Salvador's defender Ronald Rodriguez was sent off for a foul in the penalty box, and Ayase Ueda converted the penalty to make it 2-0 for Japan.
Kubo added Japan's third goal with a well-struck left-footed shot, while Ritsu Doan tapped in the fourth after El Salvador's goalkeeper failed to stop a shot from Mitoma.
Ueda had a goal disallowed by VAR early in the second half, but substitute Keito Nakamura extended Japan's lead to 5-0 with a powerful finish assisted by Kubo.
Furuhashi came off the bench and headed in Japan's sixth goal, marking his return to international football on a high note.
This victory was Japan's first win since reaching the last 16 at the World Cup in Qatar. Previously, they had a draw against Uruguay and a defeat to Colombia in March friendlies.
Japan's next match is against Peru in Osaka on Tuesday.
