Japan today became the first country to qualify for the World Cup finals after beating Bahrain 2-0 in Saitama.
Hajime Moriyasu’s side required three points from their game at home to the Middle Eastern nation to secure their place at next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico and duly got it, although it was not the comprehensive victory their fans were expecting.
The hosts had to wait until midway through the second half to break the deadlock through Daichi Kamada, the midfielder finishing a brilliant sweeping move with a crisp finish, and it wasn’t until Take Kubo added a second with three minutes to go that the celebrations could begin as Japan secured their place at the global showpiece for the eighth successive time.
The victory was their sixth in seven qualifying games and maintains their nine-point advantage in Group C over Australia, who thrashed Indonesia 5-1 earlier in the day.
This international break could see several other nations punch their tickets to next summer’s finals, including four from the Asian confederation – South Korea, Iran, Uzbekistan and Iraq.
In Oceania, qualification will be decided next week with the final four teams battling it out.
New Caledonia and Tahiti meet in one semi-final with New Zealand and Fiji meeting in the other. The winner of the final will advance.
In South America, defending champions Argentina could qualify if they win their games against Uruguay and Brazil.
