Honda-powered Japan first to drive to Brazil
Keisuke Honda fired Japan into the 2014 World Cup on Tuesday with a dramatic injury-time penalty which salvaged a 1-1 draw with Australia and made them the first team to qualify alongside hosts Brazil.
Tommy Oar’s fortuitous late strike had looked set to condemn the hosts to an undeserved defeat. But after Matthew McKay handled in the box, Honda nervelessly drove his spot-kick straight down the middle to earn the necessary point.
The result left the Asian champions seven points clear and uncatchable in Group B, putting them through to their fifth straight World Cup. It is the first time they have sealed qualification on home soil.
Holger Osieck’s Australia meanwhile will be glad of the point away from home as they scrap with Jordan, Oman and Iraq for the second automatic qualifying spot. The third-placed team will go into a play-off.
Japan had the better of a highly entertaining first half which saw chances fly thick and fast and heroic saves at both ends.
Yasuhito Endo’s dipping free-kick curled past the upright early on, and the Gamba Osaka midfielder then fired over the bar after a slick move orchestrated by Honda and Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa.
The same trio combined for another neat exchange which drew a one-handed reaction stop from Australia’s Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to deny Kagawa.
At the other end Brett Holman dragged a shot wide, NY Red Bulls forward Tim Cahill volleyed over and Japan’s Eiji Kawashima had to come sharply off his line after Robbie Kruse was put through one-on-one.
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