Cikarang, W Java (ANTARA News) - Vietnam and Japan are certain of securing tickets for the knockout round of the Asian Games 2018 football, after they won in the group D encounter at Wibawa Mukti Stadium in Cikarang, West Java, on Thursday.

Vietnam beat Pakistan 3-0, while Japan crushed Nepal 4-0 on Thursday (August 16), placing them at the first and second spots of the standings with six points each.

Nepal and Pakistan, which suffered two defeats in the group D encounter, are unlikely to catch up with Vietnam and Japan.

In their first match on Tuesday (August 14), Pakistan lost to Vietnam 0-3, while Nepal suffered a 0-1 defeat to Japan.

The last match between Vietnam and Japan on Sunday (August 19) will prove which team will be the strongest in Group D.

Pakistani coach Jose Antonio Goldberger Noguirra commented on the strength of the two teams based on their matches against his team.

"Japan is one of the strongest teams in Asia. In the past three years, I have learned so much about Japanese football," he said.

Japan has a lot of experiences. They played in the World Cup 2018, although they lost to Belgium to move to the knockout stage.

Following are the Group D standings

Play Win Draw Loss Goal Difference Points

1. Vietnam 2 2 - - 5-0 6

2. Japan 2 2 - - 5-0 6

3. Nepal 2 - - 2 0-3 0

4. Pakistan 2 - - 2 0-7 0


Reporting by Andi Firdaus
Editing by Suharto

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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