January 28 – Saudi Arabia kept their four point lead over Japan at the top of Group B in the Asian World Cup 2022 qualifiers with a 1-0 win over Oman.
With three games to go the Saudis need just one win to guarantee an automatic slot in Qatar at the end of the year. However, two of those games are against their closest rivals, Japan and Australia, who both won last night
Japan beat China 2-0, while Australia dispatched Vietnam 4-0.
Saudi Arabia now travel to Saitama for the crunch tie against Japan on Tuesday (February 1). A draw would open the door for Australia to go into an automatic qualifying positions and just a game behind the Saudis, assuming they beat Oman. Beating Oman will effectively end Oman’s hopes of qualifying for the inter-continental play-off.
In their game against Oman it took the Saudis to three minutes into the second half before Firaz Al Brikan capitalised of a goalkeeper mistake to prod the ball in from close range.
Japan didn’t need to wait too long to take control of their game against China, taking the lead on 13 minutes with a Yuya Osako penalty before a header from Junya Ito sealed the win just before the hour mark.
After a poor start to qualifying this was Japan’s fourth consecutive win.
Australia secured their first win since matchday three at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. For the Aussies it was a welcome return to form at the right time.
Jamie Maclaren opened the scoring against Vietnam after 30 minutes while the impressive Tom Rogic added a second on half-time. Craig Goodwin made it three on 72 minutes while Riley McGree added the fourth four minutes later.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1741594344labto1741594344ofdlr1741594344owedi1741594344sni@n1741594344osloh1741594344cin.l1741594344uap1741594344
