Posted: Sep. 1, 2016 8:00 am Updated: Sep.
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Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Japan slammed an “unacceptable” refereeing howler as they crashed 2-1 to the United Arab Emirates in a woeful start to their World Cup qualifying final round on Thursday.
Japan are due to travel to Bangkok for their next Group B match against Thailand.
The top two in each of Asia s two groups of six will qualify for the World Cup in Russian Federation, while the third-placed sides will face each other for the right to contest an intercontinental play-off.
“The referee was unacceptable”, fumed Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic whose side now travel to Bangkok to face Thailand on September 6 for a must-win fixture over the world’s 120th-ranked nation.
“It was a great way to come back today”, said Juric, who was recalled by coach Ange Postecoglou after missing Australia s friendlies against Greece in June.
A month-long training camp in Spain appears to have helped the UAE, while four-time Asian champion Japan struggled to put together its top team after some players arrived only a few days ahead of the match.
With the memory of Japan’s defeat by the UAE after a 5-4 penalty shoot-out in the last eight of the Asian Cup in Australia a year ago still fresh, Keisuke Honda quickly made amends, opening the scoring with an 11th-minute header on a Hiroshi Kiyotake free-kick during a hot and humid night at the Saitama Stadium.
But Ahmed Khalil s sumptuous free kick and penalty either side of half-time ensured a 2-1 win for the visitors, who also got lucky when Japan had a late equaliser disallowed.
Second-half goals from Massimo Luongo and Tomi Juric gave Asian champion Australia the win after a frustrating first half. Australia had 20 shots to six and had 72 per cent of possession but their passing wasn’t accurate, while Iraq crowded the midfield and defended well.
South Korea seemed to be cruising to victory with second-half goals to Lee Chung-Yong (63rd minute) and Koo Ja-Cheol (66th).
South Korea held on to beat China. But Hai Yu pulled a goal back for China in the 74th minute and Hao Junmin curled home a free kick two minutes later.
Geynrikh, a 56th minute substitute, pounced on a rebound in a flash to score with a powerful half volley after Syria goalkeeper Ibrahim Almeh had produced smart save off a stinging shot by Odil Akhmedov. Syria had a late equalizer chance but Omro Al Midani’s effort was blocked.
Ahmed Khalil says the UAE have the belief they can achieve another positive result against Australia next week to maintain a fine start to qualification for the 2018 World Cup, but he still called on the country’s football fans to show their support.
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Khalil became the hero of the day when he scored from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after Ismail Al Hammadi was judged to have been brought down in the area.
