India attempted every trick in the bag but in the end Japan [Images] proved just too good. The continental giants blanked the hosts 3-0 in the penultimate Group 'A' AFC Asian Cup qualifying round match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Banaglore on Wednesday evening.

Having already qualified for the tournament, Japan, did not go all out but still scored twice in the first half and once in the second through Ryuji Bando (23rd and 44th minutes) and Kengo Nakamura (83rd).

The margin could have been bigger but for custodian Sandip Nandy, who came up with some stunning saves in the match.

After Bando forced two goals down the Indian throat, the hosts had a golden opportunity to reduce margin but Steven Dias's header just before half-time was brilliantly saved by Japanese goalkeeper Kawaguchi.

This was India's fifth defeat in a row. They are yet to earn a single point and conceded a whopping 19 goals and scored just one.

Bando tapped in the first goal after Sandip Nandy was drawn out by Seeichiro Maki. The striker doubled the cushion a minute before the break with a perfect header to an Alessandro Santos cross.

Towards the end, it was Nakamura's 25-yard scorcher that saw Japan seal the match and finish on the top spot with 12 points, behind Saudi Arabia.

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