Japan's national soccer team players pose with their fans before taking part in a training session at the King Abdullah stadium before their World Cup qualifying soccer match against Jordan in Amman Monday. — Reuters
AMMAN — Asian champion Japan can become the first side to qualify for the 2014 World Cup with victory in Jordan Tuesday, while South Korea, Australia and Uzbekistan are odds on to score home wins and clarify the crowded pool picture. The Blue Samurai thrashed Jordan 6-0 at home in June, a result that has helped them establish an eight point lead over Australia, Iraq and Oman in Group B. But Tuesday's clash in Amman will be a tougher prospect without the key duo of playmaker Keisuke Honda and attack-minded fullback Yuto Nagatomo at a venue where Jordan WAS able to humble Australia in September. A 2-1 friendly win over Canada in Qatar Friday involved some sloppy errors by Asia's best side and the players know improvements are required to see off Jordan, which bounced back well from their Saitama rout. Japan might only need a draw to qualify should Australia and Oman draw in the earlier Group B clash in Sydney. The Socceroos remain favorites, though, to grab the runners-up spot and the other Brazil berth from the pool as they have a game in hand on their rivals and host three of their remaining four matches. New York Red Bull striker Tim Cahill is expected to lead the line and the former Everton player has called for a high-tempo display, something that was lacking in a drab 0-0 draw when the teams met in muggy Muscat in June. In Group A, South Korea and Uzbekistan can put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack if they claim expected victories at home to Qatar and Lebanon. The Uzbeks, who lost 2-1 to the United Arab Emirates in Asian Cup qualifying on Friday, top the group with eight points from five games, with the Koreans a point back but having played a game less. Qatar has seven from five games, as the three-time Asian champion Iran which is the most likely to prevent the top two from going to Brazil but is not in World Cup action Tuesday and instead faces Kuwait in an Asian Cup fixture. The Qataris will be led by Fahad Thani for the Seoul clash, the 2022 World Cup hosts fourth head coach of the campaign as they bid to qualify for a first finals. Qatar lost 1-0 away to Bahrain in Asian Cup qualifying on Friday but Thani remained confident his side could get something against the perennial World Cup qualifying Koreans, who thrashed the West Asians 4-1 in Doha in June. “This result will not affect us going into our next match. We know the importance of the next match,” Thani said after the defeat.“We have appropriate plans for our next clash.” — Reuters
