Arab News Japan

SYDNEY: Substitute Kaoru Mitoma scored twice in the dying minutes as Japan beat Australia 2-0 on Thursday to book their place at a seventh straight World Cup and in doing so also helped Saudi Arabia qualify.

It was a crushing blow for an understrength Socceroos who now face a perilous play-off to keep alive their hopes of making Qatar.

The game in Sydney looked destined for a draw before Mitoma converted from close range on 89 minutes, and then again after a mazy run to spark joyous celebrations.

Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Iwai Fumio tweeted a congratulatory message, saying: “Congratulations to the Blue Samurais for the win and a million congratulations to the Blue Samurai and Green Falcons for their qualification for the World Cup in Qatar.”

ألف ألف مبروك للساموراي الأزرق على الفوز ومليون مبروك للصقور الخضر الساموراي الأزرق على تأهيلهما لكأس العالم في القطر 🇸🇦🇯🇵🇸🇦🇸🇦🇯🇵⚽️⚽️⚽️🌹🌹🌹

— Iwai Fumio🇯🇵 (@FumioIwai) March 24, 2022

*With AFP