Keisuke Honda fired Japan into the 2014 World Cup yesterday with a dramatic injury-time penalty which salvaged a 1-1 draw with Australia and made them the first team to qualify alongside hosts Brazil.
Tommy Oar’s fortuitous late strike had looked set to condemn the hosts to an undeserved defeat. But after Matthew McKay handled in the box, Honda drove his spot-kick straight down the middle to earn the necessary point.
Japan’s Keisuke Honda scores a penalty in the World Cup qualifier against Australia at Saitama Stadium yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
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The result left the Asian champions seven points clear and uncatchable in Group B, putting them through to their fifth straight World Cup. It is the first time they have sealed qualification on home soil.
“I was nervous. I tried to hit the shot to the centre,” said Honda. “If it was saved, there was nothing I could do about it.”u00a0Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni, who joined the team after the 2010 World Cup, said his attractive Blue Samurai side would “surprise the world” at next year’s tournament in Brazil.
“I came to Japan to bring them to the World Cup — that was my bottom line," said the Italian. “I feel relieved that I achieved it. We are going to improve further and surprise the world.”u00a0
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