FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier: Japan became the first to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Japan became the first side to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday as Keisuke Honda’s stoppage-time penalty secured Alberto Zaccheroni’s side a dramatic, last-gasp 1-1 draw with Australia at Saitama Stadium.
The point means the Japanese cannot finish any lower than second in Group B of the final round of Asia’s qualifying tournament for next year’s event, securing one of the automatic berths in the finals and joining hosts Brazil in the draw in December.Tommy Oar looked to have earned the Australians a surprise win when, with eight minutes to go, his miss-hit cross caught out Eiji Kawashima to put the Socceroos in front, but Honda’s late spot-kick restored parity and takes Japan to a fifth straight FIFA World Cup.
Honda returned to the Japanese line-up after missing the 2-1 loss against Jordan due to injury while Lucas Neill and Sasa Ognanovski resumed their partnership at the heart of the Australian defence after both were absent from the 2-2 draw with Oman in March.
Japan went into the game as favourites and, not surprisingly, the home side had the better of the opening exchanges, with Yasuhito Endo sending his left footed effort just over the bar while Shinji Kagawa forced a fine save out of Mark Schwarzer from close range.
Australia’s best chance of the first half fell to Robbie Kruse, but the Bundesliga-based midfielder was denied by the on-rushing Kawashima after Tim Cahill’s ball had sprung the Japanese offside trap.
The Japanese kept Holger Osieck’s side pinned back throughout the second half as the home side sought the goal that would give them the breathing space they needed to ensure their place in Brazil.

Japan Team Qualify for FIFA 2014 World Cup

Honda was off target with his effort after good work down the left by Kagawa in the 54th minute while, five minutes later, the Manchester United midfielder’s attempt to chip Schwarzer beat the Fulham goalkeeper only to hit clip the top of the crossbar.The CSKA Moscow man twice fired off free kicks that caused few problems with Schwarzer while Yuto Nagatomo forced a fine save out of the 40-year-old Australian with just 10 minutes remaining.
Two minutes later, and against the run of play, the Australians went in front. Oar went down the left before lofting in a cross that evaded everyone – including Kawashima – and nestled in the bottom corner of the goal.
Oar’s strike silenced the capacity crowd at Saitama and, as time was running out, Japan’s hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup looked to be shifting towards their upcoming meeting with Iraq in Doha next week.
But, with the game edging towards the finale, referee Nawaf Shukralla pointed to the spot after judging the ball had hit Matt McKay’s arm and Honda stepped up to thump his shot straight down the middle as Schwarzer dived to his left, sealing qualification for Japan.

See the points Table of FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Group B

Group B

Teams	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
JAPAN	7	4	2	1	15	5	10	14
OMAN	7	2	3	2	7	9	-2	9
AUSTRALIA	6	1	4	1	7	7	0	7
JORDAN	6	2	1	3	6	12	-6	7
IRAQ	6	1	2	3	4	6	-2	5