AFP, Tokyo
Japan crushed India while South Korea and China both re-corded easy vic-tories as Asian football's big guns all moved a step closer to the 2006 World Cup on Wednesday.
India, footballing novices who have never come close to qualifying for the World Cup, found a rampant Japan too hot to handle in Group 3 as they slumped to a 7-0 defeat at the Saitama Stadium.
South Korea, meanwhile, bidding for a sixth consecutive appearance in the World Cup finals, defeated Vietnam 2-0 while China trounced Malaysia 4-0.
Japan's victory saw the Asian champions maintain their 100 percent start to preliminary qualifying after earlier wins over Oman and Singapore, who play in Muscat later Wednesday.
Tatsuhiko Kubo, Takashi Fuku-nishi, Shunsuke Nakamura, Takayuki Suzuki, Mitsuo Ogasawara and Yuki Nakazawa (2) all got on the scoresheet for Japan to the delight of Brazilian coach Zico.
The scoreline might not have been as emphatic but South Korea were just as convincing as they outclassed Vietnam to stay on top of Group 7.
Ahn Jung-Hwan, one of the heroes of South Korea's march to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, opened the scoring on the half-hour before midfielder Kim Do-Heon added the second in the 62nd minute.
The result erased memories of South Korea's last outing against Vietnam eight months ago when they fell to a shock 1-0 defeat in an Asian Cup qualifier.
That upset set in motion a string of setbacks that included defeat to Oman and a draw to lowly Maldives in March that triggered the abrupt departure in April of coach Humberto Coelho of Portugal.
He has yet to be replaced but there was no danger of another below-par performance Wednes-day as a strong South Korean side dominated the game throughout. South Korea lead the group with seven points from three matches.
Meanwhile, in a Group Five qualifier in Bangkok, North Korea trampled on Thailand's hopes with an emphatic 4-1 away win, featuring a brace of goals from Kim Yong-Su.
In a Group Eight encounter in Jakarta, Indonesia edged out Sri Lanka 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike by Elie Aiboy.
Great going by mighty India!
