The Men’s Japan National Team earned a place in Saturday’s East Asia Cup Final thanks to a hard fought win over China.

A much changed Japan team struggled to impose themselves in the same manner as the previous match, and needed lower order runs to set a winning score.

Wataru Miyauchi made 31 at the top of the order, but his dismissal left Japan 62 for six in the 10th over.

Stand in captain Reo Sakurano (18) and MVP Muneeb Siddique Mian (28) then combined to lift the score towards a hundred, while an aggressive 17 from Marcus Thurgate helped Japan reach 143 all out with two balls remaining.

Sakurano and Declan Suzuki-McComb both struck with the new ball, but China made Japan work for their wickets.

Opening batter Deng Jinqi batted throughout the innings for an obdurate 38* while five different bowlers were among the wickets as China were restricted to 99 for eight.

The win by 44 runs means Japan completed the double over China, but go into the Final tomorrow looking for a first win over hosts Hong Kong.

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