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Football: Germain nets 4 goals for Japan in 6-1 rout of Hong Kong

Football: Germain nets 4 goals for Japan in 6-1 rout of Hong Kong

Kyodo News08-07-2025
YONGIN, South Korea - Striker Ryo Germain bagged four goals in 26 first-half minutes as he spearheaded Japan to a 6-1 win against Hong Kong in their opening match of the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Championship on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old Sanfrecce Hiroshima attacker tied the record for most goals by a Japan debutant, after being capped in a Samurai Blue side selected entirely from the domestic J-League by manager Hajime Moriyasu.
Germain opened the scoring for the E-1 title holders in the fourth minute at Yong-in Mireu Stadium, controlling Yuki Soma's pass on his chest before volleying past Hong Kong keeper Hung Fai-yapp.
He doubled the lead six minutes later, heading home off Soma's cross. Sho Inagaki made it 3-0 before Germain added further goals in the 22nd and 26th minutes, giving Japan a 5-0 halftime lead.
Matt Orr pulled one back for Hong Kong in the 59th minute and Sota Nakamura completed the scoring for Japan in injury time.
Moriyasu capped several players for the first time, including Nagoya Grampus' Alexandre Pisano, who became the youngest goalkeeper to debut for Japan at 19 years and 179 days.
"Germain delivered what we wanted most, which was goals," Moriyasu said. "Many players got their first cap. The whole team gained experience."
The Samurai Blue will face China in their next match of the four-team round-robin tournament on Saturday before battling hosts South Korea on Tuesday.
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