Japan, Saudi Arabia qualify for 2022 FIFA World Cup

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - Japan on Thursday defeated Australia 2-0 to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals for a seventh time in a row.

Japan's win in Asia Group B game also secured Saudi Arabia’s passage to Qatar 2022, while Australia will now have to face a playoff.

Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma scored twice in the final minutes of the game – 89th and 94th – at Stadium Australia.

Called Samurai Blue, Japan is a World Cup regular since 1998.

Meanwhile it is the sixth time that Saudi Arabia have qualified for the top international football tournament in their history.

Saudi Arabia appeared in the World Cup finals in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2018.

The Green Falcons failed to qualify for the 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held in Qatar from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18 with 32 teams to compete in eight groups.