Japan win ill-tempered game; Australia survive huge scare
saitama — Japan beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a foul-tempered qualifier on Tuesday as a debatable Hiroshi Kiyotake penalty boosted their hopes of qualifying for a sixth successive World Cup in 2018.
The Blue Samurai drew level with the Group B leaders on 10 points after a tempestuous clash in Saitama, where Kiyotake’s spot kick and a Genki Haraguchi effort eased the pressure on under-fire coach Vahid Halilhodzic.
Saudi Arabia pulled a late goal back through Omar Othman but it was not enough for the visitors to rescue a draw.
“Credit to the players for beating a good Saudi team,” said Halilhodzic, whose future has been plunged into doubt after a poor run of form during the Asian qualifying
Credit to the players for beating a good Saudi team. This is a big victory for us but it was a deserved one
Vahid Halilhodzic
campaign. “This is a big victory for us but it was a deserved one,” added the Franco-Bosnian after his side improved to 10 points from five games, with five remaining.
Kiyotake converted on the stroke of half-time after Saudi defender Abdulmalek Al Khaibri was adjudged to have handled, despite replays showing Kiyotake’s initial shot had struck him in the chest.
The Saudis protested furiously to referee Muhammad bin Jahari of Singapore and scuffles broke out between the players, which continued as they disappeared down the tunnel at the interval.
In Seoul, South Korea gave coach Uli Stielike the perfect birthday gift with a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan on Tuesday that breathed new life into their World Cup qualifying campaign. The victory lifted South Korea above the Uzbeks into second spot in Group A at the midway point of Asia’s final qualifying round. The top two sides in Group A and B qualify automatically for the 2018 World Cup in Russia while the third-placed teams meet to decide who goes into a CONCACAF-Asian Zone playoff for a place at the finals.
In Bangkok, Mile Jedinak’s disputed penalty saved Australia from an embarrassing defeat to Thailand as they came from behind to draw 2-2 in 2018 World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
Jedinak’s second successful spotkick of the night in the 65th minute rescued a point for the Asian champions, who slip out of the automatic qualifying places in Group B.
Thailand had tried to reschedule the game because of mourning for King Bhumibol Adulaydej, who died last month, but it went ahead with fans urged to adopt a respectful tone. Many wore black and laid candles outside the stadium in memory of the king, but as a pulsating match unfolded — marked by three penalties — cheers and drums rang out. Australia started briskly and they were rewarded with a penalty on eight minutes that was stroked home by their bearded captain Jedinak, of Aston Villa. But Thailand struck back through star striker Teerasil Dangda, who bundled the ball into the net after a quick-fire move exposed the Socceroos’ defensive frailties.
The goal galvanised the home side, with Thailand playing smooth patterns through the middle towards the constantly menacing Teerasil. And just before the hourmark, Mathew Leckie hacked down the home side’s captain Theerathon Bunmathan as he charged into the penalty box. In Kunming, China, Marcello Lippi’s hopes of leading China to the next World Cup received a serious blow when they were held 0-0 by Qatar in Kunming on Tuesday. — AFP/Reuters