Takumi Minamino will play at the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar, as Japan defeated Australia 2-0 to book their World Cup tickets.
Having held the possession for the majority of time, the Samurai Blue had to fight hard for the victory till the end.
The tough battle for Minamino and Japan
Takumi Minamino looked quite ‘solid’ in the first half of the match. ‘Revolving’ around the Australian box and creating continuous moments of danger for the ‘down under’ side.
Minamino had returned in the dressing room with an impressive feat of 5 shots, coming close to goal.
The Attacking Midfielder had come very close to beating the Real Sociedad goalkeeper that only the crossbar could save the Australian from ‘early blushes’.
Not once, but ‘twice’ the Japanese had hit the crossbar now, adding to more ‘desperation’ for the visitors. The header looked destined to hit the back off the net, but only for it to be quickly grabbed by the keeper after it bounced of the left post.
He had his chances in the second half, but those were ‘not enough for him to open the scoring. The Liverpool man had to be substituted in the 84th minute after quite a draining performance, as it seemed.
Kaoru Mitoma replaced the Liverpool man, who sealed the deal for the Asian side.
The final ‘blow’
Upon entering the pitch by replacing Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma broke the deadlock in the 89th minute. He ‘swept’ in the goal against his parent club’s former player.
After scoring the first goal in the low right corner, Mitoma scored again in the 90+4th minute to ‘book’ Japan’s place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The late win against the Oz’s meant it would be the ‘seventh consecutive’ time Japan would compete at the World Cup.
