Mitoma won 2-0 with two goals in the second half
[AP=연합뉴스]
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Bae Jin-nam = Japan and Saudi Arabia have confirmed their qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Japan won 2-0 in their away match once morest Australia in the Asian final group B match of the Qatar World Cup held at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia on the 24th, when Kaoru Mitoma scored a goal in the 44th minute and extra time in the second half.
As a result, Japan, which has recently had a 6-game winning streak, has increased its points to 21 (7-2) and secured a ticket to Qatar by securing at least 2nd place in the group regardless of the result of their final match once morest Vietnam, which will be played at home on the 29th.
At 0 am on the 25th, Japan, which had risen to the top spot in Group B following beating Saudi Arabia (19 points, 6 victories, 1 draw, 1 loss) once morest China, had only one match remaining, and Australia (15 points, 4 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses) ), 6 points ahead of them decided to advance to the finals on their own.
Japan, which first stepped into the finals at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, succeeded in qualifying for the World Cup for the seventh time in a row.
Saudi Arabia is now four points ahead of Australia and can participate in the Qatar World Cup, which will start in November, without seeing the results of the remaining two matches, including the match once morest China.
Saudi Arabia will advance to the World Cup finals for the second time in a row and for the sixth time in their career, following the 2018 Russia Games.
In the Qatar World Cup Asian Final Qualifier, the 1st and 2nd places in Group A and B advance directly to the finals. After the 3rd place in the group plays a play-off (PO), the winner will have a final competition for Qatar with the 5th placed team in the South American qualifier in an intercontinental PO.
With the joining of Japan and Saudi Arabia, the number of countries confirmed to qualify for the Qatar World Cup has increased to 17, including the host country Qatar.
Previously, 10 countries (Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Croatia, England, Germany) that took first place in each group in the European qualifiers, Brazil and Argentina, who finished 1st and 2nd in the South American qualifiers, and Asia Qualifier A Joe’s Iran and South Korea have booked a flight to Qatar.
Australia, who lost to Japan on that day, advances to PO with 3rd place in Group B. If you win 3rd place in Group A and PO, you can go to the intercontinental PO to be held in June.
[EPA=연합뉴스]
In the match that was held in the heavy rain, Japan swallowed a disappointment as Minamino Takumi’s decisive shot failed in the beginning of the first half.
Rather, Australia seemed to take the lead in the 25th minute corner kick as the ball hit the head of Japanese defender Miki Yamane, who was competing with Gianni Stensnes, into the goal.
However, the goal was voided when it was determined that Trent Sainsbury had committed a foul once morest the goalkeeper.
Afterwards, Japan suffered the misfortune of hitting the post twice with Minamino’s shot.
In the 32nd minute of the first half, Junya Ito’s cross, which had dug into the right side of the penalty area, was headered by Minamino from the front of the goal, but it hit the post. He put it on, but it was once more blocked by the crossbar.
After the first half ended without a goal, in the third minute of the second half, Australia’s Aidin Khrustich’s left footed mid-range shot slightly missed the post.
Both teams tried to find a breakthrough by replacing players, but the goal did not open.
Japan, which has an advantage over Australia even in the draw, has also been shown to focus on guarding the ball rather than attacking forcefully.
The match that seemed to end in a draw was divided in the 44th minute of the second half.
Mitoma kicked the ball bent by Yamane from the right side of the goal area with his right foot from the front of the goal area, and the game was decided.
Mitoma scored an additional goal with a right-footed shot from the left side of the goal area in the 49th minute of the second half.
hosu1@yna.co.kr
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