Football: Japan put paid to Iraq's World Cup hopes

Iraq crashed out of the qualifying race for next year’s World Cup finals after suffering a 1-0 loss to Japan in their crucial group B qualifier at the Al Arabi Club in Doha on Tuesday.

Iraq, who have been to the World Cup finals only once — in 1986 when they lost all three group matches — needed a win to keep their slim hopes alive but a late strike by VFB Stuttgart‘s Shinji Okazaki put paid to their hopes in a fast-paced encounter played in front of a few hundred expatriates.

Okazaki’s 89th minute goal from a pass by veteran Yasuhito Endo also helped Japan avenge their 1993 heartbreak in Doha when Iraq drew 2-2 to deny the Asian giants a berth in the 1994 World Cup.

However, Japan, who qualified for the finals last week, had to work hard against the Iraqis who went for broke right from the start.

Captain Younus Mahmood rallied his team well and with Hammadi Ahmed giving him ample support up front, kept the Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima on his toes.

Kawashima, however acquitted himself well, bringing off a few good saves, including a powerful 20-yard shot from Ali Adnan early in the second half.

Iraq had another chance but Aala Abdul Zahra’s shot from close flew over the goalpost following a few tense moments in the Japan penalty area.

Both teams got a bit desperate with the minutes ticking by, but just when it appeared the match was destined for a draw, Japan took advantage of some slack defending to clinch the winner with one minute to go.

Iraq have just five points from seven matches, which means they will not finish higher than fourth in the five-team group even if they beat Australia in their last match.