International Watch: Yoshida nets as Japan won

Maya Yoshida is currently away on national team duty with Japan in The 2015 AFC Asian Cup, as the Samurai Blues looks to defend their crown in Australia.

Yoshida and co. opened their title defense with a game against Asian Cup newcomer, Palestine, who's hoping to spring an upset against the defending champ.

However, it was not meant to be as Japan easily dispatched their opponent with a solid 4-0 win in Newcastle, racing to a three-goal cushion at halftime.

Japan opened the scoring in the seventh minute through Yasuhito Endo, before Europe-based Shinji Okazaki and Keisuke Honda added a second and third for Javier Aguirre's men.

The result was put beyond all doubt in the 50th minute, as Yoshida rose highest to head the ball home from a corner kick. The Southampton defender picked up his 50th cap as well as his fourth goal for Japan.

With all three points in the bag, Japan took their foot off the pedal and waited for the referee to blew the full time whistle. Up next for Japan is a meeting with 2007 champions, Iraq, on Friday.