DUBAI — Shinji Okazaki's late winner against Oman took Japan tantalizingly close to the 2014 World Cup Wednesday, as Iraq also struck in the dying minutes to breathe life into their campaign. In Doha, a long-range strike from Uruguayan-born striker Sebastian Suria helped Qatar beat Lebanon 1-0 and go top of Group A alongside Iran and South Korea. Japan went ahead early in Muscat through Hiroshi Kiyotake but it was rocked by Ahmed Mubarak's free kick on 77 minutes. However, Okazaki bundled in the decisive goal on 89 minutes to extend Japan's lead in Group B. The Asian champion went provisionally eight points clear with only three games left, making progression to its fifth consecutive World Cup, in Brazil, an apparent formality. “I'm pleased I was able to score because I didn't do much else for the whole of the match,” said the modest Okazaki. “We kept chipping away and found a way to win in the end. We weren't in control today so I hope we can dominate to beat Jordan next time.” Japan's Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni said the Middle Eastern country's intense heat had hampered his players, but he was proud of their refusal to accept a draw. “We had set ourselves the target of three points here, and I'm happy we accomplished that goal,” Zaccheroni said. In Doha, Iraq's Hammadi Ahmed also left it late against Jordan before he arrowed a left-footed strike home four minutes from time. The game's only goal was enough to lift the 2007 Asian Cup champion off the foot of an increasingly tight Group B with its first win in five games. The result brought relief to Iraq coach Zico who had dropped veterans Younus Mahmoud and Nashat Akram from the squad, a decision that surprised many because some of the other regulars like defenders Basem Abbas and Muthana Khalid and strikers Ala Abdulzehra and Salam Shaker were already unavailable because of injuries. Jordan's Iraqi coach Adnan Hamad was also handicapped by the suspension of Anas Bani Yaseen but the return of goalkeeper Amer Shafi and defender Basem Fathi from injuries gave the team some solidity. In Doha, Suria took a pass from Fabio Cesar and fired the ball from 20 meters outside the area, sending it curling past Lebanon keeper Abbas Hassan. The goal set off raucous celebrations among the home supporters, who are desperate for a good showing after Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup. Qatar almost doubled its lead 10 minutes later when Suria sent a back-heel pass to Lawrence, whose driving shot was knocked away by Hassan. Lebanon had a chance to draw level in extra time, but Qasem Burhan saved Roda Antar's shot. In Muscat, Oman looked dangerous on the break and should have taken the lead against Japan after 10 minutes, but Fawzi Bashir blazed over from a promising position. Stuttgart's Okazaki saw a couple of half-chances saved by Oman's Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi at the other end, before Kiyotake broke the deadlock. Oman failed to properly deal with Yuto Nagatomo's cross from the left and Nuremburg midfielder Kiyotake seized on the loose ball to slot home from close range. The goal settled nerves but Oman was unlucky not to be on level terms in the 36th minute, as Al-Ajmi headed against the post. Oman came out with renewed purpose after the break and Mubarak nearly leveled it from long range. Kiyotake and Sakai both had chances to extend Japan's lead as the pace slowed, but with 13 minutes remaining, Mubarak squeezed in a low free kick which sent the home fans into a frenzy. However, as Oman pressed for the winner, substitute Gotoku Sakai raced free on the left flank and his cross was flicked on at the near post by Yasuhito Endo, leaving the arriving Okazaki with the simplest of finishes. — Agencies
