Kagawa-less Japan struggles past Iraq

SAITAMA, Japan: Japan survived severe early pressure from Zico’s Iraq to beat them 1-0 at home yesterday, taking a significant step toward qualifying for the 2014 soccer World Cup in Brazil.
Ryoichi Maeda steered in a point-blank header in the 25th minute for the Asian champions, who lost playmaker Shinji Kagawa to a back strain an hour before kick-off.
“It’s three points, we’ll take it,” Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said. “It was an important result. We want to qualify for Brazil as quickly as possible.” Kagawa said his back problem was not serious, which will come as a relief to Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
“I felt a twinge during training,” said United’s $21-million pre-season signing. “It’s not that serious and shouldn’t keep me out for long.
“It’s a pity because obviously I wanted to play but I didn’t want to risk letting the team down.” Iraq, shock Asian Cup winners in 2007 and now under the stewardship of former Japan coach Zico, could have scored twice before Maeda struck.
The Brazilian’s young side came agonizingly close to silencing the crowd of 60,000 in Saitama, both times having close-range efforts blocked.
Those misses proved costly as a quickly-taken throw-in released Shinji Okazaki, whose first-time cross was turned in by Maeda.
“We practiced that move,” said Maeda. “Oka’s pass was perfect and I just had to get on the end of it. It was down to him. We knew we had to win but we still have to improve.”
A diving header from Keisuke Honda, brilliantly tipped against the post by goalkeeper Noor Sabri, almost doubled Japan’s lead in the second half.
Japan opened up an eight-point lead in World Cup qualifying Group B from Iraq, Australia and Oman, before Jordan hosted the Socceroos later on Tuesday.
“We have the quality to cover the holes if we lose one or two players,” Japan captain Makoto Hasebe said of Kagawa’s late pullout.
“The teamwork was excellent and we got the three points we wanted but we can play better. We know there are some difficult games away waiting for us.” Japan, who have played at every World Cup since first appearing in 1998, have 10 points after four matches in the final round of Asian qualifying.
Zico paid tribute to his makeshift Iraq side, who demonstrated that they possess the potential to squeeze into the 2014 finals.
“We played well and created decent opportunities,” said the 59-year-old. “We just couldn’t take our chances”.
Lebanon stuns Iran
Lebanon stunned Iran 1-0 to claim their first ever win against the regional giants and raise hopes of gaining a shock World Cup berth.
China-based midfielder Roda Antar headed home a free kick on 28 minutes for Lebanon’s famous victory, in front of their home fans in Beirut, which lifted them off the bottom of Group A.
After four of their eight games, outsiders Lebanon are level on four points with Iran and Qatar, and just three behind South Korea — although the Iranians and Koreans have a game in hand.
While Iran’s bid to reach a fourth World Cup was dealt a blow by Shandong Luneng’s Antar, South Korea’s progress was checked in a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan earlier in Tashkent.
In the final round of Asian qualifying, the top two teams in two groups of five win places at Brazil 2014, while the third-placed sides go into a play-off series.