Red Bulls' Tim Cahill fights for the ball with two Japanese players (Fox Sports Australia)
Japan became the first nation to earn a qualifying spot for Brazil 2014 by earning a 1-1 draw with Australia at home. The result clinches a top two spot in the Asian Confederation Qualifying table Group B and gives them an automatic entry to the tournament. They sit 5 points up on second place Oman.
The Socceroos didn't make it easy on Japan though, They took the lead 1-0 in the 82nd minute of the match thanks to a goal from Tommy Oar. However, Japan were handed an opportunity in the final minute when former Brisbane Roar man Matt McKay was whistled for a handball in the box, conceding a PK. Keisuke Honda converted the penalty to give the Japanese the needed result to send them to Brazil.
Australia's hopes are still alive though. They sit two points back of Oman for second place, and next play Jordan in Melbourne next week. That is probably a must win match for them to at least hold on to third place. If they finish third, they'll play a two-legged series with the third place team from Group A (currently Iran) for a chance to compete in an intercontinental playoff against a South American side for a spot in the tournament. Uzbekistan and the Korean Republic are currently the top 2 in Group A.
So congratulations to Japan, who are really hitting their stride as a footballing nation. So far they are joined by Brazil in the 2014 tournament, who automatically qualify as host nation. Spots will continue to fill up over the next few weeks/months as qualifying heats up during the summer months. It should be a lot of fun, and don't forget we have the Confederations Cup coming up as well!
