Japan beats Australia 2-0 to qualify for 2018 World Cup

I'm glad Japan is through, and hat's off to them. Sounds like I missed a good game (kept track of the play-by-play online at work, but still). I think it's a shame if Japan, Australia, and South Korea don't make it, as they are typically the top of Asian soccer and the only teams with a real chance of going through beyond the first round (there are rare exceptions once in a while, of course), but them's the breaks. It also looks like the Dutch may not get through.

What’s happened to Aussie sports? That was Dire Straits, Chris Rhea. Soccerpoos more like. Come on Australia, get thy tails up!

Congratulations! And Japan also won the World Little League Baseball championship. We are on a roll!!!

Japan had 41% possession, 14 or so shots at goal and two goals; Australia 59%, 5 or 6 shots and zero goals - according to statistics near the end.

That says it all, despite Japan's first goal looking a bit offside(!!!).

Congrats Japan!

Australia - good LUCK!

Japan deserved to win that one. Hopefully the Aussies will polish off Thailand and raise their game in time for next year.

Well done Japan, 2 cracking goals, could have been 3 or 4-0. Still think a guy like Okazaki should start though(hopefully next week in SA).

As for the socceroos, they've been stagnating for a while now. Very poor technically bit like the A league i have to say.

Well deserved, although they laboured to break Australia down.

Australia are dire. A shocking lack of quality.

Congrats to Japan Team! It must be a good time to be in a pub, partying. Wish Socceros luck in their next match!!