A comfortable win in the end for Japan when they dominated the second half with the extra man on the field, but it could have been very different.

Egypt were well on top and could have equalised in the first half, before the breakaway which led to Saad being shown the red card.

Some good play and well-worked goals make Japan worthy winners in the end, but Egypt will rue what might have been.

We have our first semifinalist for the Men's Olympic Football; the second will be decided in the game between Mexico and Senegal, follow it here on Bleacher Report with kick off at 2:30pm UK / 9:30am ET.

Thanks for joining me, see you soon!

Full time in the quarterfinal

Japan 3 Egypt 0

92'—Sakai has a chance, winning the ball inside the area and shooting quickly wide of goal, while his shorts were being tugged back. He appeals, but no penalty.

Three minutes to be added on.

Stanley Chou/Getty Images

88'—Chance to find a fourth goal here as Usami embarks on a run, but his eventual shot is deflected away. A fourth goal would be very harsh on Egypt.

87'—Japan strolling through to the end of the game now and Egypt have understandably tired and waned. It has been a big effort for them in this second half to stay involved, and they are two players down now as well.

Mexico or Senegal await Japan in the semifinals—you can see the commentary for the second semifinal right here on Bleacher Report of course, by visiting here.

And now it's really over. A quick free kick taken down the left side leaves a crossing chance with two less Egyptians on the pitch, and Otsu races into the six yard box to plant his header beyond Elshenawi.

Another Japan sub meanwhile, Kiyotake off, Usami on.

GOALLLLL!!!!!!

Japan 3 Egypt 0

Yuki Otsu, 83 mins

82'—Egypt are another man down now as Hagazi has walked off injured, and with no more subs left for his team.

80'—Japan close to a semifinal place then in the Men's Olympics Football event. They will be one positive result away from a medal of at least some colour.

Yoshida ghosts in unmarked at the near post and glances a header in from the free kick, finding the far bottom corner with the keeper stood still. Game over now surely with only a little more than ten minutes remaining.

GOALLL!!!!!

Japan 2 Egypt 0

Maya Yoshida, 78 mins.

77'—It's the first real shot that Gonda has had to deal with. El-Nenny tries his luck with a fierce strike from outside the box, which is heading for the bottom corner, but the 'keeper makes a smart stop.

75'—Just a quarter of an hour plus injury time to go now, and Egypt starting to look a little ragged and desperate in their attempts to get the ball back from Japan.

72'—Sakai gets on the ball early on and wants a penalty, and might have a decent shout to be fair. But the referee decides the ball was won and gives a corner.

Egypt sub: Motaeb goes off, Marwan Mohsen comes on.

70'—Japan sub: Higashi goes off after that injury earlier on, and is replaced by Gotoku Sakai.

69'—Just a quarter of the game remaining for Egypt to create something and keep themselves in the Olympics. At this rate, Japan will be strolling through to the semifinals.

Francis Bompard/Getty Images

67—More flapping from the Japanese goalkeeper Gonda, who might give Egypt some hope if he continues his inability to take high balls. He escapes this time as Sakai is on hand to clear.

66'—The crowd and the game itself is a little flat right now. Egypt in particular need some inspiration, or some luck, from somewhere.

Japan are understandably happy to bide their time for chances on goal, and will just stay solid in midfield. Egypt's best chance could be from a set piece.

63'—It's all Japan, but they haven't managed to fashion a goalscoring chance from their possession in the second half. The latest spell of possession ends in Higashi going down injured.

59'—Free kick for Japan, floated to the back post... and Yoshida rises high, but heads well over the bar. Probably caught it as he was on his way back down there.

57'—Egypt substitution: Mohamed Salah goes off and Omar Gaber on.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

55'—Nice link up play down the right flank for Japan, but Ramadan does well with a sliding tackle to cut out the move. Still all Japan though in this second half—just like at the beginning of the first period. Can they duplicate the result of their dominance from the first 45 and find another goal?

53'—Japan pressing high up the pitch and Aboutrika is caught in possession, eventually leading to a strike from distance from Ogihara, which swerves well wide of goal.

51'—Japan certainly keen to commit players forward, perhaps looking for a killer second goal early on in this half. Ogihara's deep cross flies over everybody and out for a goalkick.