A much-changed Japan side took the lead inside five minutes through Soichiro Kozuki but after a dominant first half-hour by the team in blue, Australia did respond to keep the scoreline 1-0 at the break.

The two-time winners, who had already posted scorelines of 7-0 and 8-0 in their previous Group B fixtures, raised their game in the second half and Taisei Miyashiro and Gijo Sehata all netted before the hour-mark, after which Nagi Matsumoto thumped home a sublime finish before Kozuki completed his brace on 83 minutes and substitute Akito Tanahashi added the side's sixth.

Having already wrapped up Group B with a game to spare, Japan coach Yoshiro Moriyama made several changes to his starting line-up as seven players made their tournament bows.

The Joeys, meanwhile, had just the one enforced change with injured midfielder Fabian Monge making way for Jacob Italiano.

It was one of Australia's ever-presents, Thomas Aquilina, who was at the centre of the game's first action, though, as his pass to his centre-back partner Joel King was short and Kozuki intercepted before firing past Nicholas Suman to give Japan the lead within the opening four minutes.

The Australia 'keeper was being kept busy as Toichi Suzuki then forced Suman into a sprawling save before he tipped over Miyashiro's rising drive as Japan dominated the opening spells.

Shunsuke Tanimoto then passed up a golden chance for goal number two before 20 minutes were up as he blazed over from Kenta Kikuchi's cross, before Miyashiro drilled wide when one-on-one with Suman.

Australia almost punished Japan's prolificacy halfway through the first half as Dylan Pierias found time outside the penalty area to unleash a firm effort on goal that drew a solid save from Kokoro Aoki.

Indeed, despite having been overwhelmed in the opening period, it was Australia who arguably finished the half the stronger despite remaining a goal behind at the interval.

The Joeys looked to keep up the momentum after the break but eight minutes in it was Japan who added their second as Miyashiro slid home Suzuki's low cross from the right.

And Moriyama's team gave Australia a mountain to climb just a minute later as Kikuchi's deep cross from the left was sent back into the middle by Suzuki and Sehata tapped in from close-range to put his side three goals to the good.

Matsumoto then scored the pick of the bunch on 64 minutes with a stunning strike from the cusp of the penalty area that rocketed into the top corner for a 4-0 scoreline.

Roberts went close to a consolation for Australia with nine minutes remaining after his forceful run into the box culminated with Aoki tipping his shot onto the crossbar. 

But Japan responded immediately by surging up the field and Kozuki fired low past Suman for Japan's fifth.

And there was still time for Tanahashi to net his fourth of the tournament, and goal number six for Japan, as his low shot rolled in via the inside of Suman's left-hand post with five minutes left.

(Picture & Report Courtesy: www.the-afc.com)