Japan is still on its path for an Olympic football double as the men's team joined the women's side in qualifying for the semi-finals following a 3-0 dominating win over Egypt on Saturday.

Valuable goals from Kensuke Nagai, captain Maya Yoshida and Yuki Otsu took Japan through against team Egypt who lacked a valuable man for half a match after defender Saadeldin Saad was thrown off in the 41st minute for denying Japan forward Manabu Saito a goal-scoring opportunity.

Nagai brought Japan to a 14th-minute lead, shooting into an undefended net after Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawi smashed to one of his teammate defenders in trying to deal with a through ball.

Egypt, despite being down to 10 men, almost equalized when Mohamed El Neny's dipping shot was well-saved by Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda.

Shortly afterwards however, Japan dug deeper by putting in two more goals that would serve as the clincher. The unmarked Yoshida's 78th minute header made it 2-0 before another header, from Otsu, completed the package.

A cheerful Yoshida said after the match: "The match was perfect. I had chances to score in the group stage and, finally, I managed to score today, so I am very satisfied.”

"We have to take the medal, that's all. That's what I say to the people in Japan," he added.

Japan coach Takashi Sekizuka said: "Being able to win in the quarter-finals is brilliant, magnificent."

Japan will play Mexico in the semi-finals after the latter was able to survive a dramatic counter attack by Senegal to win 4-2.