Tom sunk by own Kyogoal
Japanese star creates OG to sink Rogic’s Aussies
HAJIME MORIYASU hailed his Japan side’s attitude as Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi climbed off the bench to help snatch a massive win in World Cup qualifying.
The Hoops striker played the final half hour and missed a golden chance to down Australia – before he applied the pressure that forced Aziz Behich to bundle into his own net for the winner.
Victory has reignited Japan’s hopes of reaching Qatar 2022 automatically – and potentially saved Moriyasu’s job.
For Celtic fans, they’ll just be glad to see both Furuhashi and Tom Rogic come through the clash unscathed.
Japan were staring at a qualification abyss with minutes to go, having led through Ao Tanaka before the Socceroos hit back through Ajdin Hrustic’s free-kick.
A draw would have been disastrous, leaving Japan five points off Saudi Arabia in the second and final qualification spot having played a game more and Moriyasu’s side would have have a massive uphill battle to claw their way out of a play-off spot.
Instead they remain three points behind and within touching distance of both the Saudis and Socceroos after Kyogo pressured Behich into prodding the ball into his own net following Takuma Asano’s chip.
Moriyasu was caught on camera in tears during the national anthems ahead of what could have been his final game had things not gone awry.
And the boss said: “Every time I sing the national anthem, I feel excited and proud.
“I am also proud to lead the team to play at home in Japan today. I have seen many national flags and felt the support of many people.
“When singing the national anthem, my eyes filled with tears. The game was stressful and difficult, but the players and staff worked together and made full preparations.
“We kept fighting until the end and never gave up – we are determined to get to the World Cup. We showed that tonight.
“It was a great win but we still have a lot of tough games to come. We have to make sure we use this win and build on it.”
Tanaka opened the scoring for the host after just eight minutes when a horrendous error from Aziz Behich allowed the Fortuna Dusseldorf man to rattle into the bottom-left.
Kyogo was introducted on the hour mark and Japan were pegged back minutes later in bizarre style.
A rash challenge prompted a penalty decision from Qatari ref Abdulrahman Al-Jassim but as Hibs star Martin Boyle got set to take it, VAR changed the call to a free-kick.
It didn’t matter, as Hrusic smashed the set-piece in off the bar and Japan’s lead vanished.
Soon after a goalmouth scramble saw Wataru Endo get three bites at a chance only for Mat Ryan repeatedly deny him.
With just four minutes left Furuhashi followed up Osano’s chip, which hit the post only to see Behich turn the ball into his own net.
Oz gaffer Graham Arnold said: “The energy the crowd gave the Japanese players in the last 10 minutes helped them home.”