Asian Games silver medallists Japan got off to a winning start in the final qualifying round for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with a 2-0 win over Vietnam in a Group A match.

The opening goal came from Japan's leading marksman Homare Sawa, who struck home a headed pass from Eriko Arakawa following a cross from Kozuke Ando in the 36th minute. In the 73rd minute, Sawa cut back a free-kick by substitute defender Yukari Kinga to set up Tomoe Sakai for the second goal.

Japan controlled the game, encamping in the Vietnamese field for most of the match, but they failed to create a clear scoring chance for most of a frustrating first half as the visitors kept their attacks at bay. Japan had two chances at the end of the half, one from a free-kick by Kinga and another from a cross from the left by Aya Miyama, but neither were converted.

Japan threatened the Vietnamese goal more in the second half. One shot from Sawa, from a pass by Shinobu Ono, landed in the net in the 54th minute, but it was ruled offside. Five minutes later, Miyama's shot narrowly went wide, while one Kinga right-footer went over the bar in the 77th minute. The visitors did not create one decent chance during the game.

It was Japan's sixth straight win against Vietnam in six encounters. Japan will play an away game against Thailand, while Vietnam will challenge Korea Republic at home, in their next games on 15 April. The top finishers will qualify for the Olympics next year.