The Japanese national team defeated Panama 1/0, today, Friday, in a friendly match in the Austrian city of Graz.

Liverpool's Takumi Minamino scored the only goal for the Japanese team in the 61st minute from a penalty kick.

The match saw Luis Mejia, the Panamanian national team player, being sent off after a strong intervention on a Japanese national team player.

The Japanese team tops Group F, in World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers, with 12 points.

On the other hand, Panama is in Group D in the first round of the North American continent qualifiers, along with Dominican, Barbados, Dominica and Anguilla teams.