TOKYO, Aug 12: Shinobu Ohno needed only 22 seconds to score the opening goal as Japan cruised to a 5-0 win over Thailand on Sunday to wind up the Asian final qualifying round for the Beijing Olympics next year.

The Japanese women, who had already secured top group place with an 8-0 trouncing of Vietnam last week, ended the round with five wins and one draw for 16 points ahead of Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam in Group A.

Thailand ended with two wins, one draw and three defeats.

Japan dominated the game throughout with Yuki Nagasato making it 2-0 off Tomoe Sakai's cross in the 30th minute, followed by headers from Miyuki Yanagita and Japan's top scorer Homare Sawa at the end of the first half.

Another Sawa goal was disallowed for off-sides in the 81st minute but Mizuho Sakaguchi added the finishing touches with one last goal just one minute from time.

The scoreline might have been even worse for the Thais but for some tenacious defence in the second half from Anootsara Maijarern and several fine saves from keeper Waraporn Boonsing.

Thailand never managed to create a clear scoring chance.—AFP

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