FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Japan & Saudi Arabia qualify – Australia will face an anxious wait to determine their fate to qualify for the FIFA World Cup later this year after losing a close battle against Japan 0-2. A do-or-die contest, where the Aussies needed to win, saw them lose a vital six-pointer, meaning they could now face Peru, Uruguay or Chile in the play-offs. Follow InsideSport.IN for LIVE Updates
Mitoma runs the show -Substitute Kaoru Mitoma scored twice in the dying minutes as Japan beat Australia 2-0 on Thursday to book their place at a seventh straight World Cup and in doing so also helped Saudi Arabia qualify.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Japan qualify for Qatar World Cup after win against Australia, Saudi Arabia also book WC berth
FULL TIME | We gave it our all but fell short in the end.
We will fight for a place at the @FIFAWorldCup in June.#AUSvJPN #AsianQualifiers #AllForTheSocceroos pic.twitter.com/HFtp8XPRfN
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) March 24, 2022
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Japan qualify for Qatar World Cup after win against Australia, Saudi Arabia also book WC berth
It was a crushing blow for an understrength Socceroos who now face a perilous play-off to keep alive their hopes of making Qatar.
The game in a wet Sydney looked destined for a draw before Mitoma converted from close range on 89 minutes, and then again after a mazy run in injury time to spark joyous celebrations from the visitors.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Japan qualify for Qatar World Cup after win against Australia, Saudi Arabia also book WC berth
Qualification secured – Victory pushed Japan to the top of Asian Group B qualifying on 21 points, six clear of Australia with only one more game to play.
So close yet so far – Australia went close twice early in the second half but they quickly tired as Japan again asserted control and constantly pressed for the winner.
Star names missing – Australia were missing a string of players due to coronavirus impacts or injury, including influential duo Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Japan qualify for Qatar World Cup after win against Australia, Saudi Arabia also book WC berth
Minamino again went agonisingly close with 11 minutes left and it appeared headed for a draw before the late heroics from Mitoma in only his second international.
Saudi Arabia also secure tickets to World Cup – The Saudis, on 19 points, face China in Sharjah later Thursday but are assured of their place in Qatar courtesy of Japan’s win. The close loss now means Australia will have to keep an eye on South American qualifiers where the team finishing fifth will face them.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Japan qualify for Qatar World Cup after win against Australia, Saudi Arabia also book WC berth
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