Japan defeats Australia

Japan booked their place to a sixth straight World Cup as Samurai Blue defeated Australia 2-0, a victory that guaranteed them the top spot in Group B of Asia's qualifying campaign for Russia 2018.

“This is for all of Japan,” said manager Vahid Halilhodzic, who took over from Javier Aguirre to finish the job just before the start of the qualifying campaign.

The Japanese side sealed automatic qualification following a rational performance for which the Bosnian coach should get the credit.

From the opening minutes, the Samurai Blue defence looked comfortable.