Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki provided the spark as Japan overcame a slow start to steamroller Afghanistan 5-0 at home in a World Cup and Asian Cup qualifier on Thursday.

Okazaki, whose goals have helped propel Leicester's astonishing English Premier League title charge, pounced two minutes before half-time to give the Blue Samurai a lead they barely deserved.

Finding himself in space on the edge of the box, Okazaki took full advantage to steer the ball inside the post for his 48th goal in 99 internationals after a frustrating first half from the Group E leaders in chilly Saitama.

Hiroshi Kiyotake added a second 13 minutes after the break, before Hiroki Sakai's attempted cross was deflected in and defender Maya Yoshida headed a fourth.

Mu Kanazaki celebrated a bundled fifth as if he had won the World Cup for Japan, who improved to 19 points from seven games in the second round of qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup.

They round off their campaign on Tuesday against second-placed Syria, who began the evening just a point adrift and play Cambodia later.