TOKYO, OCT 11 – Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada says Japan are now in a strong position to qualify for an eighth consecutive World Cup if they can beat Australia next week, after continuing their perfect record in qualifying.
Japan beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 in Jeddah, early this morning, making it three wins from three games in the third round of Asian qualifiers.
Japan are now five points clear at the top of Group C, with the top two teams automatically qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will go through another qualifying round.
Japan will meet second-placed Australia in Saitama on Tuesday, and Kamada said a win would almost certainly book Japan a place in the finals to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“We will be playing at home in front of many supporters, and we need to win,” he said as quoted by Japanese media.
“If we win this match, the World Cup will feel closer for us, so we have to work hard,” he added.
Kamada scored Japan’s first goal against Saudi Arabia in front of more than 56,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City, before substitute Koki Ogawa scored the second with a header eight minutes from time. – AFP
