In the AFC Under-23 Championship, Japan looked to get their title defence off to a winning start when they took on Palestine in Jiangyin yesterday. Surprisingly, only one player from the county's J League champions, Kawasaki Frontale, features in the Japanese squad, a midfielder by the name of Ko Itakura. The 20-year-old broke through the ranks last season and would show why he is one player to look out for in the future.

Japan nearly take the lead after six minutes. Inoue Shion's effort bounces back off the cross bar and Palestine are let off the hook.

The only goal comes 14 minutes later when the young midfielder Itakura finishes into the bottom corner. 1-0 Japan.

In a dull second half, Japan nearly add a second goal eight minutes from time but 18-year-old forward Kyosuke Tagawa can't direct his shot on target.

Palestine would waste a glorious chance to draw level in the dying moments. Mahmoud Yousef only finds the side netting and Japan wins 1-0.

In other games yeaterday, the DPRK got past Thailand 1-0 in the other Group B encounter. In group C Jordan and Saudi Arabia drew 2-2 while Iraq thumped Malaysia 4-1.