On Tuesday 1 February, the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) played their eighth match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ AFC Asian Qualifiers (Road to Qatar) against the Saudi Arabia National Team at Saitama Stadium 2002. MINAMINO Takumi (Liverpool FC) and ITO Junya (KRC Genk) each scored a goal to help Japan earn a 2-0 victory over the Group B leader, as the team remained in second place with their fifth consecutive victory. Japan are now in position to clinch the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ with a win in their next away fixture against Australia with one more match to be played in the qualifiers.

Japan demonstrated a much improved performance in the second leg against Saudi Arabia, who handed Japan their second loss in the Asian Qualifiers in October.

Being in position where they can qualify for the World Cup with just another win, Saudi Arabia applied intense pressure from the start and collected the ball to their left full-back Yasser AL-SHAHRANI to initiate their attacks. Although Abdulelah AL MALKI was forced off with an injury in the 23rd minute, Al-Shahrani made an attempt from the edge of the box in the 27th minute following a clearance from a corner kick. .....

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