SAMURAI BLUE (the Japan National Team) played against Iraq in the third game of the Final Asian Qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Thursday 6 October at Saitama Stadium 2002. Midfielder YAMAGUCHI Hotaru (Cerezo Osaka), who came off the bench, scored the deciding goal in injury time of the second half. Japan won the match 2-1 and earned six points so far from their two victories.

Japan, who had won one game and lost another, were keen on catching up with Australia in the lead and Saudi Arabia in second place. Both attacking midfielder KIYOTAKE Hiroshi (Sevilla FC) and HARAGUCHI Genki (Hertha BSC Berlin) on the left flank led the team in attack.

Iraq, having their back against the wall after losing two consecutive matches, attacked aggressively from the beginning of the game. In the 3rd minute, midfielder SAAD ABDULAMEER reacted to a left corner kick with a header, however denied by the goal post. Although Iraq intended to shut down Japanese passes with their defensive block and looked for opportunities to counter-attack, Japan calmly moved the ball around. 

After 11 minutes, Kiyotake, who received a pass from Okazaki, aimed at the goal, and three minutes later, SAKAI Hiroki (Olympique de Marseille) reacted to a cross with his left leg. However, both of them were saved by the opponents’ goalkeeper, who had performed superbly in the Olympics this summer.

The match changed in the 26th minute. After Haraguchi intercepted the ball, Kiyotake became a focal point for the subsequent counter-attack. He passed the ball once to Honda, while overlapping on the right side. Then, receiving a return ball from Honda, he sent a whipping cross to Haraguchi, who slotted the ball facing backwards towards the goal with his right heal. Japan had struck the opener. As Haraguchi later commented: ‘I displayed my strength’, it was his first goal after the one in the second-qualifier game against Syria in March. 

Japan continued to attack and, shortly after in the 27th minute, forward HONDA Keisuke (AC Milan) received a pass from OKazaki and took a shot. In the 43 minute, Kiyotake reacted to a free kick with a header. However, the opponents’ goalkeeper did not let Japanese side find the back of the net.

Although the match went into the second half 1-0, Iraq soon levelled the game. In the 60th minute, ABDULAMEER, who participated in the Olympics as an over-aged player, headed home off a free kick from the left side.

Japan stayed determined to score goals – in the 54th minute, defender YOSHIDA Maya (Southampton FC) tried to head the ball into the goal off a corner kick from the right side, and five minutes later, Kiyotake directly aimed at the goal from a free kick. Furthermore, in the 74th and 76th minutes, Honda went close to the goal, and in the 80th minute, Haraguchi, who reacted to a cross, attempted another header, but the shot unfortunately hit the left goalpost. They were not able to capitalise on their scoring opportunities.

After sending Yamaguchi to the pitch in the 67th minute, forward ASANO Takuma (VfB Stuttgart) and forward KOBAYASHI Yu (Kawasaki Frontale) came off the bench in the 75th and 81st minutes, respectively. Both attackers were expected to create more goal-scoring opportunities. Towards the end of the match, defender YOSHIDA on the hunt for goals also moved forward.

The long-awaited moment finally happened after 5 minutes of injury time. Yoshida was taken down by the opponent and earned a free kick near Iraq’s left corner. After Kiyotake sent the ball towards the goal, Haraguchi tried to win it through a scramble on the near side. The loose ball went towards Yamaguchi, who was waiting for it unmarked outside the box. He, then, directly struck it low into the goal with his right foot. The goal scorer fired the deciding goal on his birthday and received a boisterous celebration from his teammates. Japan earned a big three points. 

Detailed Match Information

Australia played an away game and tied with Saudi Arabia 2-2. Although both teams now have seven points, Australia has maintained the lead on goal difference, followed by Saudi Arabia in second place. Both Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who beat Thailand 3-1, have six points, followed by Iraq in fifth place and Thailand in sixth place. 

Japan will play their fourth match against Australia in Melbourne on Tuesday 11 October. 

Coaches' and Players' Comments

Vahid HALILHODZIC, Coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
It was a dramatic game. I’d like to praise the players, as they played with a strong spirit and courage. Without encouragement from the spectators and people across the country, they couldn’t have scored. I truly appreciate that. Although it was a tough game, I believe we deserve this victory.

Despite the fact that Kiyotake had been playing for only a short time for his club, he had an advantage by joining us one-and-a-half days earlier than Kagawa. The players performed excellently. Yamaguchi’s intuition was good today. I could have sent him onto the pitch earlier. I told him to play up front to look for goals. He stole the ball aggressively and scored. I was really happy with it, as he doesn’t often score.

It wasn’t a beautiful performance, but it was great to win the game. The players displayed courage and played excellently, which I was looking for. This victory means a lot to us.

MF #13  KIYOTAKE Hiroshi (Sevilla FC)
There was a good atmosphere around the team prior to the game. Playing as a united team brought us that deciding goal. Since Kagawa told us to stay calm, I could refocus and play freely. I realised once again the importance of creating a positive atmosphere. It’s up to how I can perform when I’m on the pitch. Yamaguchi came off the bench and struck a goal, which motivated us. 

MF #16  YAMAGUCHI Hotaru (Cerezo Osaka)
I knew I had to do something to have an impact on the game, as we were struggling. I’m glad I contributed to the team. Having said that, if we draw another game, today’s win will be all for nothing. We have to win one at a time and earn the points we need. I’d like to shift my focus to the next match. I wanted to display what Japan-based players are capable of doing, which allowed me to get today’s goal. I’d like to continue to perform like that in every game.

FW #8  HARAGUCHI Genki (Hertha BSC Berlin)
As we earned three points today, it’s vital to earn another three in the next game without being too negative. When the team wasn’t working well, I intended to play wider towards the left, so that I can clear away from the opponents’ defenders and find opportunities to break through the backline. All I need to do is to focus on the things that needed to be done, but individual players cannot do much including scoring. I am here thanks to this team. So I’d like to continue, focusing on good combinations and taking care of my physical conditions. 

RADHI SWADI, Coach of Iraq National Team
It was really tough. I was expecting to draw, as Japan is one of the favourites to advance to the next stage and the match was held at their home. However, we conceded another goal in the end. I’d like to point out that we performed well, but it was difficult to stay focused for the full 90 minutes. We couldn’t score from our scoring opportunities. We were defeated by the speed of the Japanese plays. That’s football.

Schedule

*Local Time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.

ASIAN QUALIFIERS - ROAD TO RUSSIA

2016-10-11 (Tue.) - 20:00 (estimate time) (Japan Time 18:00) 
Docklands Stadium (Melbourne, Australia)
Australia National Team vs SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
More information