Japan wins 1-0 to end Iraq's World Cup hopes

To be fair to Japan, you'd have to say their minds are on the Brazil and Italy games coming up. Why risk injury in extreme heat in a nothing game in an empty stadium, being provoked by Iraqi hacks? I'm actually surprised the manager didn't send over a team of fresh players to test them out and rest all the regulars to give them a spell.

Thats right, Tamarama. Having watched last nights game, Iraq are an absolute disgrace: continually hacking and pushing Japanese players, diving, and most comically one fool leaping in agony and barrel-rolling. Not a finger was layed on him. Bunch of sooks! Well done Samurai - hopefully the Aussies will finish their job at the Olympic stadium next week.

Good news for Australia. Iraq now have nothing to play for in Sydney next week.

A win, but yet again a woeful scoreline.

Burakumin, actually a lot of bench players started this game : Havenaar, Inoha, Sakai, Kiyotake, Hosogai. Wish I could have seen Inui play, though.

89th minute mark? Wow tuff luck for Team Iraq!

These bench/borderline players should have seen this game as a chance to prove themselves and solidify their place on the team. Forwards who cannot score against minnow teams seem to be in abundance. If you want to go to the WC you need to work harder to earn a spot!

I would expect Japan's bench to defeat Iraq at least three nil. As a Japan supporter, I hope Mr. Zaccheroni is taking notes.

Burakumin, actually a lot of bench players started this game : Havenaar, Inoha, Sakai, Kiyotake, Hosogai. Wish I could have seen Inui play, though.

Not really much of a difference though. Maeda has been invisible forever so putting Havenaar in is no loss. Inoha saved Japan's butt a couple of times with last-ditch tackles or blocks. Hasebe or Hosogai, not much difference there as Hasebe is not as good as he used to be.

The big difference as usual is that Honda was not playing.

Nice to see the words "Iraq" and "hopes" in the same headline.....

Japan's already qualified. There was nothing at stake for them. I hope Iraq can come up with a surprise result and see the Kangaroos fly out of the tournament.

Good on Japn, but really, only 1-0 against them?? They can do better.

Yeh, and they only scored after Iraq went down a man and had to push for a goal to keep their world cup hopes alive. If Iraq only needed the draw, they could have done so easily even with 10 men the way the match was going.

Japan did play safe and tried to avoid getting injuries from the physical rough play by the Iraqi team but I say i am disappointed with the Japan team performance. it was subpar in all levels.

Good on Japn, but really, only 1-0 against them?? They can do better.

therougou: "Yeh, and they only scored after Iraq went down a man and had to push for a goal to keep their world cup hopes alive."

And in the game with Aus they were lucky to get a penalty kick for a good scoring chance. Hopefully when they're paired with better teams they'll put in a lot more effort.