Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday when Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo hit the second half to win the Hajime Moriyasu team a 2-0 victory over Bahrein at the Saitama Stadium and confirm its place in the finals of next year.
Crystal Palace's midfielder, Kamada, left the bank to put Japan in front in the 66th minute and Kubo added the second three minutes of time to keep Japan in the pole position in Group C of the preliminaries of Asia.
The victory guarantees Japan an end between two in the classification and sees them qualify for a consecutive final of the World Cup.
The first two in each of the three Asia qualification groups will surely progress to the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year, with the third and fourth place that advance to a new Round of Play-offs.
After a disappointing first half, Moriyasu introduced Kamada in the 63rd minute and, in three minutes, he had put his side in front.
The 28 -year -old finished a good movement that began with defender Hiroki Ito finding Ayase Ueda in the central circle, and his pass released Kubo to establish Kamada to score.
Kubo had been the most powerful threat in Japan and it was appropriate that the true game creator of society added the second, beating goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfallah in his close position to put the result without a doubt.
The result means that Japan continues to lead Group C for nine points in Australia in second place, who overcame an early scare to crush Indonesia 5-1 in Sydney in the first Patrick Kluivert game in charge of visitors.
Kevin Diks from Indonesia reached the post with a penalty of eighth minute and the socceroos took advantage.
Martin Boyle put Australia from the place from the place and Jackson Ivine scored an orthopedic device, with Nishan Velupillay and Lewis Miller also in the target to improve the hope hopes of Australia.
