Oman stun Japan in World Cup qualifier

Friday, 3 September 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

TOKYO (AFP): Oman stunned Japan in the opening game of the final World Cup qualifying round yesterday, winning 1-0 thanks to an Issam Al Sabhi goal in the closing minutes.

Japan’s shock home defeat in Group B came after the Samurai Blue dominated the previous rounds, with eight wins from eight.

After a scoreless first half at a rainy Panasonic Stadium in Osaka, the hosts sent on young stars Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan – both joining the national team after playing in the Tokyo Olympics.

But Oman broke through Japan's defensive line several times and Al Sabhi netted the 88th-minute winner – just a few minutes after coming off the bench.

Japan, Asia's highest-ranked side, are seeking a seventh straight appearance at the World Cup finals in 2022 in Qatar.

The group also includes Australia, China, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event including Valentine ’s Day. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Flower Bouquets, Clothing, Watches, Lingerie, Gift Sets and Jewellery. Also if you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.