The World Preliminary Round of 12 ended a focus showdown on February 1, with Japan beating Saudi Arabia, who ranked first in the group, 2-0 at home, narrowing the point gap between the two teams and mastering the initiative to qualify. Judging from the current situation, Australia also has the opportunity to qualify directly, and the next round of Australia's match against Japan is crucial. Saudi Arabia still has the initiative after losing, and the next game against China, winning the ball may also directly qualify for the World Cup.
Group B of the round of 12, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia still showed stronger strength, after the end of the group stage 7 rounds, Saudi Arabia is 6 wins and 1 draw unbeaten record to lead, the points are 19 points, the Japanese team ranks second with 15 points, Australia is 14 points, and there are three direct matches between the three teams, so the suspense of qualifying still exists. In the 8th round, Japan played saudi arabia at home.
This matchup is still very important, if Asia's 6th Saudi Arabia wins, will advance to the World Cup, if Japan wins, they will narrow the gap with Saudi Arabia, but also continue to suppress Australia. Australia's opponent in this round is Oman, and it is more likely to get 3 points, so the match between Japan and Saudi Arabia is still very critical. In the first leg of the showdown, Saudi Arabia defeated Japan 1-0.
In this game, the Japanese team played more actively at home, in the 32nd minute, the Japanese team scored, Jun Ito also relied on the excellent breakthrough on the right side to send a cross, the Japanese team formed a two-point package in the penalty area, and Takumi Minamino at the back point received the ball and adjusted the goal, although the Saudi goalkeeper blocked, but still could not block the goal, the Japanese team led 1-0. In the first half, Japan also had close to 65% of the ball, and Saudi Arabia only had one shot on goal, without any threat.
Obviously, the Japanese team is still very advantageous at home, in the second half, Ito Jun also had a good play again, in the 50th minute, Ito Jun also stopped the ball in front of the box and directly chose to shoot, the Saudi goalkeeper did not have any way, Ito Jun also took a 2-0 lead for Japan, his excellent personal ability, became the key to the Japanese team's two-goal lead, he also made penalties against China, and scored a goal, enough to see his ability.
In the following matches, the Japanese team did not give Saudi Arabia too many opportunities, and won the match 2-0, and their points reached 18 points, giving Saudi Arabia the first defeat. The match between Australia and Oman plays a little later, and if Australia gets 3 points, then the points reach 17 points, and the difference between the three teams is within 3 points. According to the schedule, in the 9th round, Australia played at home against Japan, which was a 6-point battle, at the same time, Saudi Arabia against China, if they got 3 points, they still had the initiative. If Japan beats Saudi Arabia and they beat China, they can qualify early. Of course, if Saudi Arabia can't beat China, the pressure will be even greater in their 10th round against Australia. Looking at it now, the battle for the 3 teams to qualify is very fierce.