Jordan 1 - Oman 0; Australia 1 - Iraq 0

1974, 2006, 2010.  Australia were looking for qualification number four at home in rainy Sydney against an already-eliminated Iraq side.  Australia got off a good shot two minutes in after a one-two-one-two by Robbie Kruse and Tim Cahill up front, but Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri made a nice reaction save to deny Cahill.  In an unlikely scenario, Australia's two centerbacks nearly combined for a goal, but Sasa Ognenovski could not keep his header on frame from Lucas Neill's cross.  Australia were trying to win the match through an aerial battle, but the first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Iraq's Saif Salman hit a strange knuckler in the second minute after the restart, but Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was able to get down and hold onto the shot.  The crowd grew impatient and antsy as the goal just would not come for Australia.  Substitutions of the attacking duo of Cahill and Kruse looked like desperation but in fact were strokes of genius.  A Marc Bresciano cross with seven minutes left was headed back across Sabri's goal by Joshua Kennedy, and Australia were finally in the lead.  Australia win 1-0 and take the final direct berth from Group Two into Brasil 2014, becoming the second team to qualify after Japan.

Amman was the site of the crucial qualifier between Jordan and visiting Oman.  A win or draw for Oman would send them into the AFC Playoff, whereas Jordan could use only a win to make the AFC Playoff.  Oman were the better side following the opening kickoff, and they nearly scored as Qasim Said found himself launching his foot forward to tip-in at the far post, but his touch could not provide the finish.  Oman would still be pleased with the 0-0 halftime score as they were halfway to the result they needed to advance to the next round.

Saeed Al Murjan drove the ball up the pitch for Jordan against eight Omani defenders.  Al Murjan pushed out wide to Khalil Bani Ateyah, who sent a ball into the box.  Ahmad Ibrahim peeled off from his run and was open in space for a diving header that sent Jordan into a 1-0 lead.  Oman had more than a half hour to respond and avoid elimination, but Jordan made sure that no equalizer was anywhere to be found.  Jordan win 1-0 and advance to a two-legged playoff with Uzbekistan.  Oman are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Japan 17 pts IN
Australia 13 pts IN
Jordan 10 pts
Oman OUT
Iraq OUT

Goals
Australia
Joshua Kennedy 83

Jordan
Ahmad Ibrahim 57

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/6/18/4441102/australia-vs-iraq-final-score-1-0-result-2013/in/4205171
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-18/socceroos-v-iraq-world-cup-qualifier-live-blog/4763134
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/jordan-secure-third-place-in-australias-group-and-play-off-place-after-1-0-win-over-oman/story-e6frf4l3-1226666015243

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5Tm0zphMo8 (Australia v. Iraq)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdVM1P6_-VU (Jordan v. Oman)

Australia 4 - Jordan 0; Japan 1 - Iraq 0

Melbourne was the arena for the clash between visiting Jordan and locals Australia.  Australia were dominant in possession early.  Just before the quarter hour, Australia tested the goalkeeper.  Robbie Kruse laid a ball off into the path on an onrushing Brett Holman.  Jordan goalkeeper Amer Sabbah (pictured, black) made the initial save, but the rebound fell to Marc Bresciano.  Bresciano smashed his laser just outside the post.  One minute later, however, Australia got it right.  Off an advantage call, Kruse made it to the end line and raced into the box up the end line.  He made a simple pass to the six-yard box from where Bresciano made no mistake.  Australia were up 1-0.  The Socceroos were destroying the left flank of Jordan's defense, and another Kruse pass nearly made it 2-0, but Cahill could not contort his body quickly enough to get the redirection on frame.  Jordan starting gaining traction over the final twenty minutes of the first half, which Australia won 1-0.

Jordan showed some fight in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half, but eventually Australia re-established supremacy.  On the hour mark, Kruse made a wonderful cross to Cahill for a powerfully headed finish and a two-goal margin.  Kruse with a sweet turn in the box as he nutmegged Mohamad Ali before slotted home for goal number three.  Archie Thompson was saved one-on-one by Sabbah.  A third header in the box on the same corner kick play lead to a historic fourth goal.  Australia captain Lucas Neill (pictured, yellow #2) finally scored his first international goal in more than ninety appearance as he put the Socceroos four goals to the good.  Australia win 4-0 and move within one victory of Brasil 2014.

Already-qualified Japan were able to rest some key players (Maya Yoshida, Atsuto Uchida, Keisuke Honda) in preparation for the upcoming 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup as they traveled to Doha, Qatar to face Iraq in a match that was pivotal in the race for second-place.  A loss for Iraq would see nominal hosts eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  In spite of the absences, Japan were the stronger side in this match.  One neat one-two-one exchange nearly provided an opener for the Samurai Blue, but Hiroshi Kiyotake's shot was deflected, giving Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri time to crawl to the side and stop the shot.  The first half ended scoreless.

Iraq looked more likely to score in the second period.  However, Alaa Abdul Zahra was booted from the match for his second yellow card in minute 84 after he bicycle kicked Mashiko Inoha in the face going for a glorious finish.  Iraq were down a man for the final push as they looked to remain alive in the competition.  Even down a man, Iraq had to push for the win.  Japan took advantage with a minute to go on a three-versus-two fast break.  Shinji Okazaki fed Yasuhito Endo, whose pass back to Okazaki forced Okazaki to slide, but Okazaki made contact and the ball rolled into the net as Sabri had already committed to Endo's run.  Japan win 1-0 and Iraq are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  This result also guarantees Australia, at worst, a spot in the fifth-place playoff in Asia.

Japan 17 pts IN
Australia 10 pts +4
Oman 9 pts -2
Jordan 7 pts -10
Iraq OUT

Goals
Australia
Mark Bresciano 15
Tim Cahill 61
Robbie Kruse 76
Lucas Neill 84

Japan
Shinji Okazaki 89

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-au/match/78094/australia-vs-jordan/report?
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/a-dominant-4-0-victory-helps-socceroos-down-jordan-and-move-one-step-closer-to-2014-brazil-world-cup/story-e6frf4l3-1226662099400#.UiAzs5Kkpw8
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-japan-sign-off-win-end-iraqs-world-165205995.html
http://us.soccerway.com/news/2013/June/11/fifa-world-cup-qualifying-iraq-0-japan-1/n232164/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AgqWtRSvM4 (Australia v. Jordan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFhziIP-kZg (Japan v. Iraq)

Australia 1 - Japan 1; Oman 1 - Iraq 0

With a home draw against Australia in Saitama, the Samurai Blue would become the first team to join the host nation at Brasil 2014.  The first half featured good defense and lots of shots, leaving one to wonder to where the midfield had disappeared.  It was as if the game were constantly being played in the final third on either end.  Japan missed an early chance when a Maya Yoshida was unable to score on a free header from a corner kick.  A nice interplay between Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki, and Shinji Kagawa (pictured, right) picked apart the Socceroos on one occasion, but goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer preserved his clean sheet with the palm of his outstretched hand to deny Kagawa.  Australia defender Sasa Ognenovski provided a crucial block on another good scoring occasion for Japan.  Australia nearly scored themselves, but Robbie Kruse (pictured, yellow) was denied by a classy save by goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.  The scintillating first half ended with a 0-0 scoreline.

Japan enjoyed the most dominant stretch either team had during the match in the opening twenty minutes of the second period.  Australia were simply left absorbing pressure as Japan took the first five shots of the second half.  In fact, on chip by Shinji Kagawa from a tight angle landed on the point of the crossbar on its way out of bounds.  Eventually, Australia reawakened.  Luke Wilshire laid a ball back across the box after a right up the right side, and Tim Cahill set up for the one-time finish, but Yoshida made a sliding block to save Japan.  Schwarzer again was called into action when a fast run up the left side by fullback Yuto Nagatomo forced Schwarzer into a diving stop.  With under ten minutes to go in the match, Australia found the opener.  A Tommy Oar attempted cross took a strange flight path that caused the ball to float into the side netting from a very tight angle, stunning the crowd and reviving Australia's hopes of direct qualification.  Australia nearly made it through, but a lack of focus from Matt McKay led to his being called for a handball in the box.  Honda stepped up and drove the ball straight and down the middle on the penalty kick to drive Japan straight to Brasil 2014.  With the 1-1 draw, Japan are the first team to qualify for the final stage of the tournament.

Iraq paid a visit to Muscat hoping for a win that would see them leapfrog from fifth into second place, but hosts Oman were keen on pulling the same feat, albeit out of fourth position.  Muscat was so steamy and toasty today that water breaks were provided, a practice used in every match at the 2012 OFC Nations Cup but rarely used elsewhere.  The first thirty minutes looked as though the teams were playing in oppressive conditions as no attacks were mounted.  Oman shook off the doldrums first and were rewarded with a goal in first-half stoppage time.  A Saad al Mukhaini corner was close enough to tempt Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri off his line.  Ismail Al Ajmi leapt to head the ball over Sabri and into the vacated net, where Humam Tariq's last-ditch clearance effort off the line failed.  Oman led 1-0 at intermission.

Abdul Al Mukhaini nearly provided a second goal to Oman with his speedy run out of his own half circle led to a three-on-two break for the Omanis, and his through ball to Al Ajmi was spot on, but Sabri was able to save the shot on this occasion.  Oman continued to be the more attacking side for the duration of the match, as Iraq provided little to thwart their efforts as Oman turned in a strong defensive performance led by Raed Saleh.  Oman win 1-0 and move into sole possession of second place in Group Two.

Japan 14 pts IN
Oman 9 pts -2
Australia 7 pts 0
Jordan 7 pts -6
Iraq 5 pts -2

Goals
Australia
Tommy Oar 82

Japan
Keisuke Honda 90+1 PK

Oman
Ismail Al Ajmi 45+3

Match Reports
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/japan-1-1-australia-honda-174100206--sow.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jun/04/japan-australia-world-cup-qualifer-for-2014
http://www.euronews.com/sport/1979982-oman-beat-iraq-1-0-to-boost-brazil-dreams/
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Oman-down-Iraq-1-0-in-FIFA-World-Cup-qualifier/articleshow/20430532.cms

Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zpAbUxdQxI (Australia v. Japan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7PoviiJca8 (Oman v. Iraq)

Jordan 2 - Japan 1; Oman 2 - Australia 2

Sydney hosted a matchup of English Premier League goalkeepers, with visiting Oman boasted Ali Al-Habsi and Australia boasting Mark Schwarzer.  Neither man would have a night he would want to remember on this day.  A no-look flick on through ball went off the body of Australia defender Michael Thwaite.  Abdul Aziz Mubarak stayed with the ball and then shot between the legs of Schwarzer for the early goal for the visitors.  Oman would have the same 1-0 lead at the conclusion of the half.

Things got worse for Australia before they got better, with Mile Jedinak sticking his leg out at the wrong time on an otherwise harmless corner and conceding a terrible own goal.  However, the Socceroos are nothing if not scrappy, and who better to exemplify that than Tim Cahill?  Cahill won a header from seven yards out on a corner kick and calmly finished into the side netting to draw his team within one goal of a tie.  A wicked deflection from a Luke Wilshire shot saw a ball bounce off the Omani crossbar and fall to Cahill, whose attempt at a spectacular side volley flew off frame.  Al-Habsi had a wonderful time denying Cahill's further efforts, and Australia looked doomed to defeat.  However, Al-Habsi had a horror mistake when a simple dipping ball from distance from Brett Holman bounced at his feet and found its way to goal with five minutes left to play.  Al-Habsi made a spectacular save on a Cahill header deep in stoppage time, but one wonders if he will rue the Holman goal for days to come.  Australia escape with a 2-2 draw at home.

Jordan invited Japan into their home in Amman for what was guaranteed to be a historic occasion.  Either Japan would become the first team to qualify for Brasil 2014, or Jordan would collect a scalp bigger than their home win against Australia early in the cycle.  A draw would be enough for Japan to qualify directly to the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.  An unmarked cross by Makoto Hasebe found an open Ryoichi Maeda from five yards out, but Maeda's header hit the crossbar and Jordan could breathe a sigh of relief.  In stoppage time, Jordan had the opener when a well-struck Amer Deeb corner was met with fury by the head of Khalil Bani Attiah, whose ball flew too fast for the Japanese netminder to keep out.  Jordan led 1-0 after the first period.

On the hour mark, a long ball down the right flank allowed Ahmad Hayel to run onto the ball and around the slower Japan center back Maya Yoshida, who had been dragged to the flank way out of his normal central defensive role by the ball.  Hayel ran all the way to the center of the box before slotting the ball away for a 2-0 Jordan lead on the group leaders.  Nine minutes later, an unbelievable backheel flick-on ball from Hiroshi Kiyotake put Shinji Kagawa (pictured, blue) in on goal, and Kagawa finished from six yards out on a dead sprint to pull Japan within one goal at 2-1.  One minute later, a tackle from behind by Abdallah Deeb on Atsuto Uchida brought Uchida down in the box and gave Japan a penalty kick chance.  Yasuhito Endo's kick was saved by Jordan goalkeeper Amer Sabbah mere centimeters from the post.  Japan will have to wait and seek qualification in June 2013 with the rest of Asia after Jordan win 2-1.

Japan 13 pts +10
Jordan 7 pts -6
Australia 6 pts 0
Oman 6 pts -3
Iraq 5 pts -1

Goals
Oman
Abdul Aziz Mubarak 6
Mile Jedinak 49 OG

Australia
Tim Cahill 52
Brett Holman 85

Jordan
Khalil Bani Attiah 45+1
Ahmad Hayel 60

Japan
Shinji Kagawa 69

Match Reports:
http://www.3news.co.nz/Oman-hold-Australia-to-2-2-draw-in-WCup-qualifier/tabid/415/articleID/291995/Default.aspx
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/socceroos-coach-holger-osciek-lauds-squad-depth-ahead-of-clash-with-oman/story-e6frg6n6-1226605766478
http://www.sportlive.co.za/soccer/international/2013/03/26/australia-forced-to-fight-back-for-2-2-draw-with-oman
http://www.skynews.com.au/sport/article.aspx?id=858080
http://jordantimes.com/nashama-beat-japan-2-1-to-revive-world-cup-hopes

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-diqV_4_hU (Oman v. Australia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxcMjURppRk (Jordan v. Japan)

Iraq 1 - Jordan 0; Japan 2 - Oman 1

Oman welcomed Group Two leaders Japan to Muscat in the hopes of finally breaking their duck against the Samurai Blue by recording a first win in their ninth match against Japan.  However, even a draw would see Oman skip idle Australia to move into second position in the group.  Oman had a golden chance ten minutes into the match when Ismail Al Ajmi's run down the right side of the box drew two defenders and the goalkeeper before laying a ball off in front of the empty net.  However, Fawzi Bashir missed the easy effort well over the goal.  Japan would punish Bashir's miss ten minutes later.  Japanese left back Yuto Nagatomo sent a weak cross from the left side of the box that somehow eluded all the Oman defenders in the area, allowing Hiroshi Kiyotake to score his first international goal to give Japan a 1-0 lead.  The visitors took that lead into the break.

With less than one quarter hour remaining in the match, Oman found their equalizer.  Ahmed Mubarak stood over a free kick from twenty-three yards.  Mubarak selected a low ball that rolled around the wall and curled into the far corner as it passed beyond the reach of multiple outstretched legs searching for a redirecting touch.  In the final minute, the crowd were stunned into silence.  Gotoku Sakai raced down the let flank and sent a ball into the box that was flicked on at the near post by Yasuhito Endo.  Shinji Okazaki was the beneficiary as the ball bounced to him for a tidy short-range put away and a road victory.  Japan win 2-1, guaranteeing themselves at worst a spot in the Asian fifth-place playoff with today's result.

Doha, Qatar was the home site for Iraq against Jordan.  This match was dominated by the two goalkeepers: Noor Sabri of Iraq and Amer Shafi of Jordan.  A whipped in cross was too much for Jordan forward Tha'er Bawab to handle as his header could not find the frame unmarked from ten yards.  Jordan right winger Khalil Bani Attiah preserved the tie later in the half as his last-ditch sliding block prevented an Iraqi shot from five yards.  Jordan had a good chance to go ahead near the end of the period, but Abdallah Deeb's dipping effort from outside the box was parried away on the short hop by Sabri.  The half ended scoreless.

In the latter portions of the second half, Shafi was called into action often.  He punched away a strong strike from substitute Amjed Rahdi.  With four minutes left, Iraq's Hammadi Ahmed took advantage of the time and space he had at the left side of the half circle by unleashing a ball that tailed away from a diving Shafi and into the Jordanian net.  Iraq held onto their new-found 1-0 lead for the remainder of the match to grab their first win of the campaign 1-0 over Jordan.

Japan 13 pts +11
Australia 5 pts 0
Iraq 5 pts -1
Oman 5 pts -3
Jordan 4 pts -7

Goals
Japan
Hiroshi Kiyotake 20
Shinji Okazaki 89

Oman
Ahmed Mubarak 77

Iraq
Hammadi Ahmed 86

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1900115/index.html
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/soccer/story/Japan-beats-Oman-21-in-WCup-qualifier-20504303
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1900117/index.html
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Iraq-beats-Jordan-1-0-in-2014-WCup-qualifier-4036526.php

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjCh5aAwS5A&feature=g-all-u (Japan v. Oman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50I9dCipWRE&feature=relmfu (Iraq v. Jordan)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYeRIiRV-Pw (Japan v. Oman)

Australia 2 - Iraq 1; Oman 2 - Jordan 1

Muscat was the scene welcomed Oman home to take on Jordan.  Oman were two points adrift of Jordan for second place in Group Two coming into the night.  The first half was relatively quiet until the final minute, when Fouzi Bashir's shot beat the goalkeeper, but luckily for Jordan fullback Mohammed Al-Dmeiri was on the line to make a clearance.  The half ended scoreless.

In the opening minute of the second half, a long cross from Jordan captain Amer Deeb led to a sliding shot by Ahmad Ibrahim inside the six-yard box, but he knocked the ball wide of frame.  A couple of minutes beyond the hour mark, Oman scored off a messy corner kick play.  Ismail Al Ajmi headed down weakly , but his teammate Ahmed Mubarak was first to go to ground and was able to toe poke through two Jordan defenders and into the goal for the opener.  With three minutes left to play, Oman sealed the victory.  Confusion between a Jordanian center back and his goalkeeper on how to deal with a cross that landed on the six-yard box allowed the ball to bounce to Jumaa Darwish for a sharp-angled tap-in at the far post, leading to a four-person choreographed dance routine in celebration.  In the final minute of regulation, a very smooth one-two-one-three-two play by Jordan led to a goal from Thaer Bawab.  Oman would not allow Jordan to take advantage of any further lapse in concentration in stoppage time, however, so Oman win 2-1 to leapfrog Jordan in the standings.

Doha, Qatar was the nominal home venue for Iraq as Australia came to town.  Both teams were mired in joint last-place on the table coming into the match but knew that a victory could catapult them into second place.  The first half was woefully devoid of offense and ended 0-0.

Robbie Kruse nearly opened the scoring for Australia, but he sent a shot centimeters wide of the post.  Australia looked like the more dangerous side, but it would be Iraq who would come through with eighteen minutes left to play.  A Younis Mahmoud header off a beautiful floated cross half the length of the field from his right back was nodded perfectly behind Matthew Spiranovic, the one defender back, and into the path of substitute Alaa Abdul Zahara.  Zahara slotted to the bottom corner to give Iraq a 1-0 lead and life in the group standings.  A determined Australia were not about to lose again and go bottom of the group, however.  A mistake on the marking scheme on an Australia corner ten minutes from time left forward Zahara on Tim Cahill, one of the best headers of the ball in the history of the sport.  Matt McKay's outswinging corner kick came to Cahill on the penalty spot, and he rose above Zahara to push an excellent header back toward the near post for the equalizer.  The Socceroos were not down scoring.  Spiranovic had a header chance two minutes later but he sent his shot wide.  Two minutes after that, another breakthrough happened when two fresh Australia substitutes combined on the match winner.  A perfect cross from Tommy Oar allowed Archie Thompson to have a free look at a flick header in the six-yard box, and Thompson converted, giving Australia the lead and the fans an opportunity to witness Thompson and Cahill joining forces as they boxed with the corner flag in celebration.  Australia win 2-1.

Japan 10 pts +10
Australia 5 pts 0
Oman 5 pts -2
Jordan 4 pts -6
Iraq 2 pts -2

Goals
Oman
Ahmed Mubarak 62
Jumaa Darwish 87

Jordan
Thaer Bawab 90

Australia
Tim Cahill 80
Archie Thompson 84

Iraq
Alaa Abdul Zahara 72

Match Reports:
http://main.omanobserver.om/node/115577
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785977/index.html
http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/football/230713/football-socceroos-back-track-iraq-win
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/no-room-for-complacency-20121019-27wnc.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeqnE9qpNuE (Oman v. Jordan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sN80pWzPaI&feature=related (Australia v. Iraq)

Jordan 2 - Australia 1; Japan 1 - Iraq 0

Japan welcomed Iraq, the charges of their former coach Zico, to Saitama for Matchday Four of the AFC Fourth Round.  2011 AFC Asian Cup champion goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima won on his game in the first half, saving Ahmed Ibrahim's forceful header off a corner kick and then Ahmed Yaseen's middle-range effort on a semi-breakaway on a full stretch dive.  Sandwiched in between, Japan stole a goal when Shinji Okazaki flicked a volley off a high bounce to an unmarked Ryoichi Maeda from point-blank range.  Japan took the undeserved 1-0 lead into the break against the young Iraq team.

Keisuke Honda nearly had Japan's second goal, but his diving header off a floating cross was saved onto and off the post by Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri.  The rest of the half passed with little action.  Japan win 1-0.  Japan, with more than double the points of their nearest competitor, are clearly going to be booking a place at Brasil 2014.  They very well may pull it off by the end of Matchday Seven.

Australia made the short trip from their friendly in Lebanon to Amman to take on Jordan for the first time ever.  The home side were looking to jump off the bottom of the Group Two table with an upset of the Socceroos.  Jordan had shouts for a penalty when Tim Cahill handled a ball inside his penalty area when he was the outside man of a five-man wall, but Jordan were unluckily not given their reward.  Brett Holman nearly added to the injustice immediately thereafter, but his shot was blocked by Basem Othman.  The half ended with no scores.

In the second half, delayed justice was Jordan's.  Mile Jedinak come on to begin the second period for Australia, and his presence nearly paid immediate dividends, but he missed an unmarked header.  A shameful dive by Odai Alsaify (pictured, white) led to the penalty kick Jordan should have had in the first half, and the spot kick was pushed home for a 1-0 lead to Jordan.  Jedinak nearly equalized from almost thirty yards, but his effort struck the post and bounced all the way out of the penalty area untouched.  On a Jordan counterattack, Alsaify went up the left side of the box, broke down Lucas Neill, and drew out the goalkeeper before slotting to an onrushing Amer Deeb, who tapped home for a massive second goal.  A smooth backheel layoff by Alex Brosque allowed an onrushing Archie Thompson to surge into the Jordanian box and slot home to the far post to close the gap to 2-1.  Australia's last surge did not result in a second goal, however.  Jordan win 2-1 in the biggest victory in their country's history.

Japan 10 pts +10
Jordan 4 pts -5
Australia 2 pts -1
Iraq 2 pts -1
Oman 2 pts -3

Goals
Japan
Ryoichi Maeda 25

Jordan
Hasan Abdel-Fattah 50 PK
Amer Deeb 73

Australia

Archie Thompson 85

Match Reports:
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/09/11/soccer-worldcup-japan-iraq-idINDEE88A09K20120911
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/soccer/story/Jordan-beats-Australia-21-in-WCup-qualifier-48386960

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JufHVAygA5I (Japan v. Iraq)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4CAzTQadog (Jordan v. Australia)

Japan 1 - Australia 1; Oman 1 - Iraq 1

Japan and Australia got the day of qualifying underway with the highly anticipated rematch of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final won by Japan in extra time.  The setting was Brisbane, but the Samurai Blue looked to make themselves at home abroad.  Mark Bresciano had to be subbed off the pitch for an injury very early in the match, forcing Australia to sub in Mark Milligan (pictured, yellow #3).  Milligan had an adventurous day to say the least.  The first half saw some up and down action that was not expected from this clash of Asia's top teams.  Tim Cahill nearly nicked an opener for the Socceroos after some clever dribbling, but Eiji Kawashima stopped his shot in the early going.  Lucas Neill (pictured, yellow #2) nearly scored for Australia, but his errant shot turned into an even better opportunity for Alex Brosque.  Fullback Atsuto Uchida was able to rise and block Brosque's shot with his body, and the threat was averted.  In spite of the flurry of goal chances, the score at the half was 0-0.

Ten minutes into the second frame, Milligan picked up his second yellow card, getting himself sent off and allowing Japan to play with a man advantage.  Keisuke Honda showed no mercy, and his tricky corner kick play earned his team the lead.  Honda played a short corner and saw that his man had gone to the ball.  The ball was played back to Honda as he ran toward the near post, forcing the goalkeeper to commit to him.  Honda then laid the ball off across the six-yard box, where centerback Yuzo Kurihara was available for the tap in.  Japan led 1-0 at this point, but it was to be short lived.  On an Australia set piece, Atsuto Uchida was whistled for a penalty for grabbing Alex Brosque by the waist and flinging him out of the way of the goalkeeper as the ball was coming to Brosque.  Luke Wilshire (pictured, yellow, far right) converted the spot kick, and the match continued on with the score level.  Kurihara picked up his second yellow with a minute left in the match, but no damage was incurred for Japan as they saw out the draw.  Honda was actually standing over a dangerously placed free kick, but the referee whistled the match dead before Honda could execute his set piece.  The match finished 1-1.

Oman and Iraq traveled to Doha, Qatar to play a qualifier today in what was nominally a home match for vagabond Iraq.  A seemingly innocuous free kick from distance awarded to Oman turned into the opener when it floated into the box to find Mohammed Al Balushi, who used his head to make it 1-0.  Nearing the end of the opening period, Iraq started to come alive.  A deep free kick from Nashat Akram was parried aside by a sure-handed Ali Al Habsi, goalkeeper of Oman.  A Younis Mahmoud free kick soon thereafter was handled by a man in the wall during its flight, leading to a penalty which Mahmoud would convert for a 1-1 score.  The half finished with the same 1-1 score in place.

Just as in the first half, whenever a team saw an opening, their opponents would cynically take it away with a tactical foul.  With little more than twenty minutes to play, Raed Saleh made a great run for Oman toward the Iraqi goal, but he was felled outside the box to prevent a good shot.  With just ten minutes left, Mahmoud was fouled from behind in the box, but the referee did not see fit to award Iraq a second penalty. The next minute, Mahmoud again found himself free for a shot after dribbling and bouncing off defenders in the Omani penalty area.  Sadly, his own teammate Karrar Jasim decided to be selfish and got in the way of Mahmoud's shot, leading to Jasim being substituted immediately.  Despite Iraq's best efforts, they only found themselves a 1-1 draw.

Japan 7 pts +9
Iraq 2 pts 0
Australia 2 pts 0
Oman 2 pts -3
Jordan 1 pts -6

Goals
Japan
Yuzo Kurihara 65

Australia
Luke Wilshire 70 PK

Oman
Mohammed Al Balushi 8

Iraq
Younis Mahmoud 37 PK

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1648335/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/06/12/2080.ap.soc.iraq.oman.1st.ld.writethru.340/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C89kDsM989U&feature=relmfu (Japan v. Australia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUyE33DPn7o (Oman v. Iraq)

Oman 0 - Australia 0; Japan 6 - Jordan 0

The Samurai Blue of Japan played their second match of the AFC Fourth Round at home to Jordan in Saitama.  It was Keisuke Honda's world, and everyone else on the pitch was just living in it.  Japan found their opening goal off a Ryoichi Maeda header off a Honda corner.  Honda then scored the next two himself, put Japan up 3-0 after thirty minutes.  Not helping matters for Jordan was the sending off of Abdallah Deeb in minute 27 for his second yellow card.  With ten minutes to go in the half, new Manchester United signee Shinji Kagawa (pictured, blue) gave the Samurai Blue their fourth goal for a 4-0 halftime lead.

The second half was a mere formality, but Japan continued to add goals.  Honda sealed his hat trick on a penalty kick after Maeda was chopped down in the box.  With less than two minutes to play, Yuzo Kurihara scored his first international goal off Yuto Nagatomo's second assist of the day.  Japan win 6-0 and look to be in impeccable form going into their upcoming showdown in four days away to group favorites Australia.

For the second time in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Australia paid a visit to Oman in Muscat.  The previous encarnation of this fixture resulted in a 1-0 Oman victory, but this time around the Socceroos started strong out of the gates.  Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi made three crucial saves in the first period, this first on a long distance shot by David Carney, and the next two from the boot of Carl Valeri. The first half ended scorless.

In the second period, it was the time to shine for Mark Schwarzer, goalkeeper of Australia.  Amad Al Hosni will not be sending Schwarzer any gifts any time soon after Schwarzer robbed him of two goals.  Al Hosni's second attempt came off a diving header on target that was stopped by a diving save.  Surprisingly, Australia were the fresher team as the match drew to its close, with the heat having sapped the reserves of the hosts.  Oman had all their players in their own half during second half stoppage time, and the 0-0 tie was preserved, giving both teams their first points of the AFC Fourth Round.

Japan 6 pts +9
Iraq 1 pts 0
Australia 1 pts 0
Oman 1 pts -3
Jordan 1 pts -6

Goals
Japan
Ryoichi Maeda 19
Keisuke Honda 25, 30, 53 PK
Shinji Kagawa 35
Yuzo Kurihara 89

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/photogallery/gallery=1645859.html#1645831
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/06/08/2080.ap.soc.japan.jordan.1st.ld.writethru.330/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1646023/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/06/08/2080.ap.soc.oman.australia.1st.ld.writethru.396/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgvIBT0Qgzs&feature=g-all-u (Japan v. Jordan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Njhc74HB9g&feature=g-all-u (Oman v. Australia)

Jordan 1 - Iraq 1; Japan 3 - Oman 0

Japan began their final push to Brasil 2014 in Saitama against Oman.  Judging by the first of their eight matches, Japan's push very well should end up with the Samurai Blue featuring at Brasil 2014.  Fullback Yuto Nagotomo broke down the left side in the twelfth minute to float a perfect cross to Keisuke Honda for a finish and a 1-0 lead for the hosts.  Japan were unable to further translate their dominance on the field to goals in the first period, so the score at the break remained 1-0.

Six minutes after the restart, Shinji Kagawa made a cut inside to his right before rolling a pass into the slashing Ryoichi Maeda, who finished off the inside of the post and past a diving Ali Al Habsi (pictured, green) for 2-0.  A loose ball three minutes after that fell into the path of Shinji Okazaki (pictured, blue) who made a composed finish for 3-0.  Ali Al Habsi had a wonderful double save twenty minutes later on Honda and Hiroshi Kiyotake, but it did not change the course of the match.  Japan win 3-0.

Though Iraq were the road team on their visit to Amman to face Jordan, they certainly outplayed their hosts.  Nashat Akram was a pest all day, and he scored Iraq's opener one quarter hour into the match from just outside the box.  With the halftime whistle near, Jordan pounced on a dropped ball by Iraqi goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid, leading to an undeserved equalizer that made the halftime marker 1-1.

In the second period, Iraq continued to be dominant.  Jordanian goalkeeper Amer Sabbah earned himself high honors with two magnificent diving saves to his right, the second off a short stoppage-time free kick from Akram.  The scoreline did not budge in the second half, so the match ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Iraq to ponder what could have been had it not been for Kassid's blunder.

Goals
Japan
Keisuke Honda 12
Ryoichi Maeda 51
Shinji Okazaki (pictured, blue) 54

Iraq
Nashat Akram 14

Jordan
Ahmad Ibrahim 43

Match Reports:
http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/fifa-world-cup/39352-japan-vs-oman
http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/fifa-world-cup/39354-jordan-vs-iraq

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjHmJSlF9ZQ&feature=relmfu (Japan v. Oman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2bowSKDKDU&feature=relmfu (Iraq v. Jordan)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt6XhJd4DfU (Japan v. Oman)