Mueez Ajao
– Japan booked their place at this year’s Word Cup in Qatar with a dramatic victory against Australia that also confirmed Saudi Arabia’s qualification for the tournament.
– Two late goals from substitute Kaoru Mitoma in Sydney sealed Japan’s place in Qatar with a game to spare.
– Victory lifted Japan top of Group B of Asian qualifying, above Saudi Arabia who are four points clear of Australia.
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– Australia now face a play-off campaign to reach a fifth successive World Cup.
– The Socceroos next face Saudi Arabia in Jeddah in what is now a dead rubber on Tuesday, before going on to face the country that finishes third in Group A in a play-off game on 7 June.
– With two group games to go, the United Arab Emirates are third in that group, three points ahead of Lebanon, while Iraq are a further point adrift.
– The winner of that tie goes on to a play-off against the fifth-placed team from South America.
