5 Jun 2013

Japan qualifies for World Cup finals

12:47 pm on 5 June 2013

Japan have become the first football side to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil after clinching a late draw with Australia in Saitama.

Tommy Oar opened the scoring for Australia in the 81st minute, while Keisuke Honda scored an injury-time penalty to claim a 1-1 draw and the point they needed to confirm top spot in their Asian qualifying group.

Japan are five points ahead of Oman, who beat Iraq 1-nil in Muscat, and seven ahead of Australia, who do have two games left.

Australia can still grab second place in the group and a place in Brazil with their last two matches at home against Jordan and Iraq.