Japan defeats Oman to close in on World Cup

MUSCAT - Reuters

Omani player Ahmed Mubarak (R) fights for the ball with Japan’s Keisuke Honda during their 2014 World Cup qualifying match. AP photo

Shinji Okazaki’s late strike gave Japan a 2-1 away victory over Oman yesterday, leaving the Asian champions on the brink of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Oman looked to have salvaged a point in sweltering Muscat after Ahmed Mubarak’s deflected free kick 13 minutes from time canceled out a first-half opener from Hiroshi Kiyotake.

But Okazaki pounced on a quick counter-attack in the 89th minute for runaway Group B leaders Japan, smashing home a clever flick from Yasuhito Endo from point-blank range.

“I’m happy to have scored - I didn’t do much else today,” Okazaki told reporters. “We were made to suffer and didn’t have control of the game. We really had to dig in for the result.”

Kiyotake, starting in place of the injured Shinji Kagawa, put Japan in front after 20 minutes when he drilled a low cross from Yuto Nagatomo past goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

Oman was unlucky not to pull level in the 36th minute, Ismail Al Ajmi’s header smacking against the post and rolling back across line before Nagatomo slid in to clear.

Japan, who now has 13 points from five matches, have appeared at every World Cup since the 1998 finals in France. Oman has five points from five games.

“The objective is to reach the World Cup so I’m very satisfied to come away with three points,” said Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni.

“I would like to compliment Oman’s players. They showed great heart, and the heat made it difficult for us to play our style. I’m proud of the players for sticking to the task.”