JAPAN HAND SAUDIS FIRST DEFEAT IN WC QUALIFIERS

Takumi Minamino and Junya Ito were on target as Japan handed Saudi Arabia a 2-0 defeat at Saitama Stadium to move to within a point of Herve Renard’s side at the top of Group B of Asia’s World Cup preliminaries on Tuesday. Hajime Moriyasu’s men emerged with the three points from the battle between the leading pair as the fi ght for the two places available from the group at the World Cup intensifies.

The Japanese adopted a defensive approach against a Saudi side that has dominated Group B and who would have secured their place at the World Cup with a win over the Samurai Blue.

Asia has four guaranteed places in Qatar 2022, with the fi rst two fi nishers in each of the two qualifying groups advancing. The third-place fi nishers in each group will playoff for the right to face South American opposition in an intercontinental playoff.