YOKOHAMA, Dec 16: Injury-depleted Germany ruthlessly swept aside Japan 3-0 on Thursday in the first match of their three-game tour of Asia. Miroslav Klose scored twice and captain Michael Ballack was also on target for the visitors in chilly Yokohama, scene of Germany's 2-0 defeat by Brazil in the 2002 World Cup final.

Werder Bremen striker Klose put Germany ahead in the 54th minute, poking home from close range after Japan goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki had spilled a Ballack free kick.

Ballack made it 2-0 with a superb curling shot from 25 metres in the 69th minute after good work from Gerald Asamoah. Klose added a deserved third in stoppage time in the first meeting between the two countries. -Reuters