Japan's Takefusa Kubo, right, celebrates his goal with teammates during a men's soccer match against South Africa at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on July 22, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

       TOKYO (AP) -- An empty stadium is not how Japanese athletes imagined competing for the first time in Tokyo at their home Olympics.

       At least the men's soccer team won on Thursday -- a day before the opening ceremony of the pandemic-impacted games.

       Takefusa Kubo scored the only goal with a curling strike off the post in the 71st minute that clinched a 1-0 victory over South Africa at the Tokyo Stadium.

       Kubo is a 20-year-old forward signed up to Real Madrid who has yet to play for the Spanish giants while gaining first-team experience elsewhere in La Liga.

       In the other Group A game, Mexico beat France 4-1.

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