NEWS

Former Japan senior team international Masakiyo Maezono scored two goals as Japan downed El Salvador 7-2 to finish the group stage with three straight wins in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai on Wednesday.

Japan went into a 2-0 lead with goals from Takeshi Kawaharazuka and Masahito Toma, before Maezono found the target in the seventh minute with a free-kick. Shinji Makino helped Japan end the first period with a 4-0 lead.
Maezono struck again in the 13th minute before Hirofumi Oda added a penalty as Japan went 6-0 ahead.
El Salvador pulled a goal back before Japan scored their seventh through Teruki Tabata early in the third period.
Japan will play Portugal in the quarterfinals on Friday. Portugal finished second in Group A behind Uruguay.