Japan bounced back from an early scare to claim a 4-2 victory against Vietnam in their opening Asian Cup Group D clash on Sunday.
The Samurai Blue's French connection delivered at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, with Monaco's Takumi Minamino bagging a brace and Reims' Keito Nakamura restoring the lead late in the first half after Vietnam stunned the four-time Asian champions by going up 2-1.
Hajime Moriyasu's world No. 17 side dominated possession but showed their vulnerability to counterattacks and set pieces against a 94th-ranked Vietnam team managed by former Japan boss Philippe Troussier, who led the Samurai Blue to the 2000 Asian Cup title and the 2002 World Cup last 16.
Japan turned their first corner kick into the 11th-minute opening goal as Minamino fired home from the middle of the area after the Vietnamese defense failed to clear Yukinari Sugawara's attempt.
But the Southeast Asians answered from a corner five minutes later thanks to a spectacular diving header by Nguyen Dinh Bac, who flicked the ball over Japan keeper Zion Suzuki and inside the far post.
Japan's set-piece defense was exposed again on a 33rd-minute free kick, which saw Suzuki deflect Vietnam center back Bui Hoang Viet Anh's header into the path of unmarked striker Pham Tuan Hai, whose goal sparked jubilant celebrations among Vietnamese fans.
A period of sustained pressure late in the half led to Minamino's 45th-minute equalizer. The goal was teed up by a clever through ball into the area from Japan captain Wataru Endo, with both the assist and the strike passing through the legs of defenders.
"We let them turn the game around after we went ahead," Minamino said. "I wanted to help the team any way I could, and (the goal) went in at a good time of the match, right before halftime."
Nakamura blasted Japan into the lead with a sublime turn and strike from the top left of the box, finding the far top corner in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time.
"I was intent on having a good swing at it once I received the pass. I'm happy it found the gap nicely," Nakamura said. "The result is really important, first and foremost, and we definitely want to win the next one too."
The Samurai Blue continued to control possession in the second half but did not add another goal until substitute Ayase Ueda netted in the 85th minute.
"It was a tournament opener and it taught us there are no easy games," Moriyasu said.
"Of course, we have to reflect on the fact we needed to chase the game, but the players were calm and made adjustments when things weren't going ideally, and managing to swing the game back in our favor gave us confidence."
Japan continue their campaign for a record-extending fifth Asian title against Iraq on Friday before meeting Indonesia in their last group-stage game on Jan. 24.
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