Japan dashed any hopes Pakistan might have entertained about Singapore scoring an upset win to nudge them forward as they thrashed the city state 8-0 and triumphantly marched into the semi-finals of the BSNL Asia Cup Hockey Tournament here Thursday.
Japan now meet India in the semi-finals.
Japan's only scar is their solitary defeat against Malaysia and it was clear Thursday they would make amends for that.
Japan slammed five goals in the first half and before the score read 8-0 at fulltime, skipper Yamabori Takahiko recorded a hat trick.
In the run-up to the Asia Cup, the Japanese had stated that they only wanted to be in last four.
On Thursday, Singapore served as the cannon fodder to help the Japanese that landmark.
Japan had earlier upset Pakistan 3-1 in a crucial league encounter. The points garnered out of that match formed the bulwark to take the Japanese within touching distance of the Asia Cup.
Besides the Takahiko hat trick, the conversion of a penalty corner by Yoshida Kazuo and one goal each from Tsubouchi Kazuhiro, Ito Mitsuru, Ito Akira and Ota Sho completed the tally.
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