Asia football Japan confirmed their seventh consecutive World Cup appearance after beating Australia 2-0 on Thursday.
Substitute Kaoru Mitoma scored twice in The final a few minutes give Japan her first victory over The Socceroos in Australia since 1998.
The win also She secured Saudi Arabia’s passage to Qatar and ruled Australia in a disingenuous manner path through two playoffs If they want to reach the finals for Fifth time in Row.
The fun playoffs seemed to be heading towards a goalless stalemate in The 89th minute when Mickey cut Yamani ball back From the secondary line Mitoma lapsed to fire He. She past Australia goalkeeper Matt Ryan.
mitoma mode result Beyond a doubt five minutes later when he skipped through tired Australia defense And the found The net again Under Ryan’s desperate dive.
“I knew it was going to be a close competition so when I was on The benchI was thinking about that when I got on stadium i just I had to do my work and score A goal said the winger.
“I feel really happy for The players for The people back in Japan and for Everyone who supports Japan.
With Wataru Endo running midfield Takumi Minamino is a constant threat up Up front, Japan was good worth The win against Australian side Missing almost complete team of regulars because of COVID-19 infection and injury.
Minamino hit woodwork twice in Five minutes towards the end of opening halfThe first try a missile of head shattered down off bar and post but left out of The goal.
Australia also He had a chance – most notably owning Miki Yamani goal This was doomed out for Error on The goalkeeper – But I gave up so much possession in midfield And struggle to deal with Japan pace on Stop.
Striker Agden Hrustek, the only Australian with The skill to match Japanese, made up of a couple of opportunities in start of The second half but it’s long-range A free kick was saved as he pulled a wide shot.
Japan looked like breakthrough in 80th minute when Hidemasa Morita was pass found Minamino on The edge of The six-yard areaBut Trent Sainsbury was tall clear the shot off Line.
Socceroos . poured forward in The final 10 minutes to try to get goal That will keep their hopes alive of Auto qualification from group B, but that’s only left space In the back for Japan should use it to finally break the deadlock.
“We fought hard Tonight, I can’t blame the effort, but even 0-0 wouldn’t be right result So we had to go for Australia said coach Graham Arnold.
“in the end of The day we got the third–place Spot and you have to be positive about it.”
