Soccer-Japan, Saudi Arabia qualify for World Cup finals

Soccer Football - World Cup - Asian Qualifiers - Group B - Australia v Japan - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - March 24, 2022 Australia’s Martin Boyle in action with Japan’s Ao Tanaka REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Japan beat Australia 2-0 on Thursday to qualify for World Cup finals for the seventh successive edition, with their victory at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium also taking Saudi Arabia through.

Australia will now advance to a play-off against the third-placed team from the other Asian qualifying group for the right to face the fifth-ranked team from South America for another spot in Qatar.

(Editing by Alex Richardson)

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