Japan becomes latest to qualify for World Cup as Eagles gear up for Cameroon this weekend

JAPAN has become the latest country to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after beating Australia 2-0 at home at the Saitama Stadium thanks to two goals close to the end of either half.

Following the victory, Japan now joins Iran, Brazil and hosts Russia in taking their place at the global finals. Nigeria is hoping to take a step closer to qualification over the weekend when the Super eagles take on Cameroon's Indomitable Lions at the Uyo stadium and again in Yaounde four days later.

Earlier today, Japan joined the list of 32 going to the Mundial after a hard-fought victory over the Socceroos of Australia in a high-stakes encounter. Both sides had gone into the match knowing that the victors would be guaranteed a spot in Russia and it was the hosts who seized the initiative just before half-time when Takuma Asano sprung the offside trap to volley home from close range.

Australia's Socceroos pushed for an equaliser in the second half but created precious few opportunities and saw their hopes evaporate with eight minutes remaining. That was when Yosuke Ideguchi scored a goal worth of winning any match, charging inside from the left flank and curling an unstoppable right-foot shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

His strike sealed Japan’s place at Russia 2018, maintaining their record of having qualified for every World Cup since 1998. Australia must now beat Thailand in their final match and pip Saudi Arabia, who are also on 16 points to clinch second place in the group.

Should they finish third in the group, the Australians will face a play-off against a team from Group A, with the winner progressing to an intercontinental play-off against an opponent from the Concacaf region. Like Africa, Asia has five places at the World Cup.