FIFA WCQ: Japan, Saudi Arabia qualify for the World Cup in Qatar
Japan beat Australia 2-0 on Thursday to qualify for the World Cup finals for the seventh successive edition, with their victory at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium.
Japan’s victory has ended Australia’s chances of automatic qualification with the result also sending Saudi Arabia through.
Rounding off their campaign against Australia on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia will participate in successive World Cups for the first time since 2006 – and their sixth global finals in total.
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A brace from Kaoru Mitoma ensured the Samurai Blues have a shot at the World Cup again as they exited the competition in the round of 16 in Russia 2018.
Australia still remain in qualifying contention despite in third place with a playoff against the third-place team from Group A, currently the United Arab Emirates, and a possible final game against South American opposition.
On Tuesday, Japan will play hosts to Vietnam, bottom of the group with just one win, while Australia travel to Jeddah to take on Saudi Arabia.
Japan and Saudi Arabia join South Korea and Iran who booked their place in the last round of matches in February.
