The Japanese Men’s national Cricket team have gone one up after defeating the Philippines by 54 runs in the opening day of the ICC East Asia Pacific T20 World Cup Qualifiers at Amini Park in Port Moresby on Saturday. Japan, who are one of the favorites heading into the EAP finals, showcased that they are not here just to participate and look to be gunning for the only spot for the EAP in the World Cup. A slight overcast hung right throughout the morning promised a beautiful day for entertaining Cricket and delivered it did. Winning the toss and electing to bat in the first innings, Japan was quick off the mark to score runs but so too were the Philippines, claiming their first wicket as opener. Alexander Shirai-Patmore was run out in the 4th over. At 1/19, entered Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming. Both Fleming and opener Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake stepped things up averaging a 6.44 run rate. Both batsmen set the foundation for their final score of 166 with a partnership of 101 runs of 81 balls. This would all come to a halt in the 14th over with Yamamoto-Lake falling to the hands of Filipino bowler, Amanpreet Singh who went on to claim the wicket of Supun Navarathna in the same over and Fleming at the end of the 16th over. Ibrahim Takeshi proved to be a handful for the Filipino fieldsmen, scoring 31 runs of 13 balls. At the close of the first innings, both teams went into the sheds. The Philippines needing to chase down 167 runs to win. The Philippines openers, Kapil Kumar (Captain) and Daniel Smith started off well, but some tactical fielding and precise bowling from Reo Sukurano-Thomas saw Shirai-Patmore catch Smith out, behind the stumps. Japan then made efforts to minimize runs, suffocating the Philippines batsmen at the crease. Kumar was then dismissed by Taniyama, this bringing in Josef Doctora, who seemed to partner well with Jordan Alegre until he was also dismissed, scoring 28 of 23 balls. Piyush Kumbhare got both his wickets of the match in the 18th over, dismissing both Jean Miguel Podosky and Alegrea. The Philippines went on to finish the match with a score of 5/113.