Japan beats Australia 2-1 in World Cup qualifying

Posted October 12, 2021 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Japanese players celebrate after Australia's Aziz Behich, third from right, makes own goal during their World Cup 2022 group B qualifying soccer match between Australia and Japan, at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, north of Tokyo, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - An Australian own-goal kept Japan in the race for an automatic spot in next year's World Cup.

Australia defender Aziz Behich put the ball into his own net in the 85th minute Tuesday to give Japan a 2-1 victory and six points from four matches in Group B, three points behind the first-place Aussies.

Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan tipped a shot from Takuma Asano and the ball bounced off the post and then ricocheted off Behich and into the net.

'œWe kept fighting until the end and never gave up,'ť Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said. 'œWe showed our determination to get to the World Cup.'ť

Only the top two teams from each of the two six-team groups will automatically qualify for the tournament in Qatar.

Ao Tanaka gave Japan an early lead at Saitama Stadium, but Ajdin Hrustic equalized for Australia in the 70th minute.

'œBoth teams had a go at each other,'ť Australia coach Graham Arnold said. 'œWe were unlucky that we hit the post but ... at the end of the day, it wasn't meant to be but we are on nine points after four games.'ť

Australia, which had won 11 straight games, was awarded a penalty kick midway through the second half when Hidemasa Morita brought down Hrustic on the edge of the area. But before Martin Boyle could take the kick, referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim of Qatar reversed the call after a video review, ruling that the challenge had taken place just outside the box.

Japan is seeking a seventh straight World Cup appearance. Australia has appeared at every World Cup since 2006.

'œIt was a great win for us but there are still a lot of difficult games to come,'ť Moriyasu said. 'œWe have to make sure we build on this win.'ť

In Group A, Iran and South Korea drew 1-1 in an empty stadium in Tehran.

Son Heung-min gave South Korea the lead early in the second half. Alireza Jahanbakhsh then headed in an equalizer to keep Iran at the top of the group with 10 points, two more than second-place South Korea.

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Australia's Aziz Behich (16) makes own goal during their World Cup 2022 group B qualifying soccer match between Australia and Japan, at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, north of Tokyo, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) The Associated Press

Japan players celebrate after defeating Australia in their World Cup 2022 group B qualifying soccer match at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, north of Tokyo, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) The Associated Press

Australia's Mitchell Duke, right, reacts following his team's loss during the World Cup 2022 group B qualifying soccer match against Japan at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, north of Tokyo, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) The Associated Press

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