Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Japan’s 1-1 draw with Iraq on Tuesday sees the hunt for Russia 2018 places remain tantalisingly poised at the top of Group B with the point at PAS Tehran Stadium edging the first-placed Samurai Blue just a point above Saudi Arabia and Australia.
Yuya Osako scored his first goal of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign to put Japan in front on eight minutes after he flicked on Keisuke Honda’s corner kick at the near post and his header looped over Iraq ‘keeper Mohammed Gassid.
But Iraq restored parity with 18 minutes remaining after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline saw Maya Yoshida try to shepherd the ball back to Eiji Kawashima but, under pressure from Mohannad Abdulraheem, the ball rebounded out to Mahdi Kamil to slam home.
Iraq’s newly-appointed coach Basim Qasim earned his first points at the helm, although the result came too late for the already-eliminated West Asians. Vahid Halihodzic’s side, though, will have their eyes firmly fixed on Russia and a mouth-watering tie against Australia at the end of August.