Cape Town - Japan have won their third match at this year's Rugby World Cup by beating the US Eagles by 28-18 in a Pool B encounter played at Kingsholm in Gloucester on Sunday night.
Japan led by 17-8 at half-time.
Both sides were prepared to give the ball air, but once again Japan proved why they are the surprise package at this year's tournament. Their excellent handling, resolute defence and accurate goal kicking by Ayumu Goromaru proved too much for the Eagles.
Scorers
USA
Tries: Takudzwa Ngwenya, Chris Wyles
Conversion: Alan MacGinty
Penalties: Alan MacGinty (2)
Japan
Tries: Kotaro Matsushima, Yoshikazu Fujita, Amanaki Mafi
Conversions: Ayumu Goromaru (2)
Penalties: Ayumu Goromaru (3)
Teams
United States
15 Chris Wyles (captain), 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Seamus Kelly, 12 Thretton Palamo, 11 Zach Test, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Mike Petri, 8 Samu Manoa, 7 Andrew Durutalo, 6 Al McFarland, 5 Greg Peterson, 4 Hayden Smith, 3 Titi Lamositele, 2 Zach Fenoglio, 1 Eric Fry
Replacements: 16 Phil Thiel, 17 Oliver Kilifi, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Cam Dolan, 20 John Quill, 21 Danny Barrett, 22 Niku Kruger, 23 Folau Niua
Japan
15 Ayumu Goromaru, 14 Yoshikazu Fujita, 13 Harumichi Tatekawa, 12 Craig Wing, 11 Kotaro Matsushima, 10 Kosei Ono, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Ryu Koliniasi Holani, 7 Michael Broadhurst, 6 Michael Leitch (captain), 5 Justin Ives, 4 Luke Thompson, 3 Hiroshi Yamashita, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Keita Ingagaki
Replacements: 16 Takeshi Kizu, 17 Masataka Mikami, 18 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 19 Shinya Makabe, 20 Amanaki Mafi, 21 Hendrik Tui, 22 Atsushi Hiwasa, 23 Karne Hesketh