Qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup: Oman 1-2 Japan

Shinji Okazaki struck with just over a minute remaining as AFC Asian Cup champions Japan moved within touching distance of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup after the unbeaten Group B leaders snatched a 2-1 win over Oman on Wednesday. Japan had been forced onto the backfoot inside the closing stages after Ahmed Mubarak’s 77th minute free-kick had cancelled out Hiroshi Kiyotake’s 20th minute opener at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. But with Okazaki turning home from close range in the 89th minute in Muscat, Japan recorded their fourth win in five games during the final round qualifiers as Alberto Zaccheroni’s side strengthened their position at the top of Group B. Oman, meanwhile, were unfortunate not to at least earn another point at home having already drawn with Australia and beaten Jordan last time out to leave Paul Le Guen’s side with five points from five games. The home side were presented with a glorious chance to break the deadlock after just 10 minutes as Amad Al Hosni’s quick throw-in caught the Japan defence cold and Ismail Al Ajmi had time and space to pull the ball back for the on-rushing Fawzi Bashir, but with the goal at his mercy, the midfielder blazed over from just inside the penalty area. Oman, though, came within inches of equalising nine minutes before the break as Al Ajmi’s towering header struck the foot of post with Eiji Kawashima beaten before rolling precariously behind the goalkeeper across the goal line before being hacked to safety. Al Ajmi was forced off after picking up an injury while challenging for the header, although Oman finished the half strongly and Raed Ibrahim drilled a shot straight at Kawashima in stoppage time. With coach Paul Le Guen replacing Al Ahli striker Al Hosni with Abdullah Saleh at half-time, Oman made a positive start to the second half and Kawashima had to be on his toes to beat away Mubarak’s strike just six minutes after half-time. Kiyotake came close to a second for Japan just after the hour mark, and after Japan coach Zaccheroni replaced striker Ryoichi Maeda with defender Gotoku Sakai, the former Cerezo Osaka forced Al Habsi into a save. But with 13 minutes remaining Mubarak’s low free-kick from the edge of the area skipped through a crowded penalty area and found the bottom corner with Kawashima unable to react in time. Kawashima was then forced to race off his line to block at feet of Saleh just three minutes later as Oman forced Japan onto the backfoot. But with just over a minute remaining, Sakai’s left wing cross was helped on at the front post by Yasuhito Endo and Okazaki tapped into the empty net from close range.