Japan beat Iraq: Uzbekistan hold SKorea

Asian champions Japan shrugged off the late injury withdrawal of Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa to beat Iraq 1-0 and stay top of their group in 2014 World Cup qualifying on Tuesday. Japan, hit by the loss of Kagawa just before kick-off with back pain, rode their luck at times in front of a packed Saitama Stadium but ended with all three points thanks to Ryoichi Maeda’s headed goal on 25 minutes. In another match Uzbekistan drew 2-2 with South Korea. Ki Sung-Yeung 13 (own goal) and Tursunov scored for Uzbekistan while South KoreaÕs goals came from Kwak Tae-Hwi and Lee Dong-Gook. Lebanon stunned Iran 1-0 to claim their first ever win against the regional giants and raise hopes of gaining a shock World Cup berth. China-based midfielder Roda Antar headed home a free-kick on 28 minutes for Lebanon’s famous victory, in front of their home fans in Beirut, which lifted them off the bottom of Group A. After four of their eight games, outsiders Lebanon are level on four points with Iran and Qatar, and just three behind South Korea — although the Iranians and Koreans have a game in hand. While Iran’s bid to reach a fourth World Cup was dealt a blow by Shandong Luneng’s Antar, South Korea’s progress was checked in a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan earlier in Tashkent. The result gives Japan, who have 10 points from four games, an eight-point lead at the top of Group B ahead of Tuesday’s later matches. The top two in two groups of five earn an automatic ticket to Brazil. NEW ZEALAND WIN New Zealand asserted their superiority in the Oceania confederation when they beat the Solomon Islands 6-1 on Tuesday in regional qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. Striker Shane Smeltz opened the scoring after 12 minutes when he was allowed space to side-foot Leo Bertos’ corner into the net at the far post. Costa Barbarouses added a second, rounding goalkeeper Samson Koti and scoring in the 25th minute. After taking a 2-0 lead to halftime, New Zealand were shocked when Henry Fa’arodo pulled one back for the Solomon Islands, scoring from Leslie Nate’s low cross to make it 2-1. New Zealand hit back immediately through Chris Killen, then rattled in goals to Tony Lochhead  his first in 60 internationals  Marco Rojas and Chris Wood. From gulftoday