Japan’s midfielder Makoto Hasebe (C) fights for the ball with Australia’s forward Mathew Leckie (2nd-R) during the group B World Cup 2018 qualifying football match between Japan and Australia in Saitama on August 31, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
Takuma Asano and Yosuke Ideguchi were on target as Japan beat Australia 2-0 at home Thursday to qualify for their sixth successive World Cup.
Asano steered home a left-foot volley four minutes before half-time and Ideguchi sealed the victory with a stunning long-range strike after 82 minutes as Japan became the fourth team to reach next year’s finals in Russia.
Disclaimer
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.