Japan edge Iraq 1-0 to almost seal Asian Cup quarterfinal berth

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:24 am
AC Milan midfielder Keisuke Honda netted a 23rd minute penalty to give Japan a 1-0 win over 2007 champions Iraq.
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Keisuke Honda converted a penalty and hit the woodwork three times as defending champion Japan edged Iraq 1-0 on Friday night to go top of the table in Group D and move a step closer to qualifying for the Asian Cup quarterfinals.

AC Milan star Honda converted from the spot in the 23rd minute after he was dragged down in the area amid challenges by Ali Adnan Kadhim and Saad Abdulameer. Honda was trying to latch on to a blocked close-range effort from Shinji Kagawa when he went to ground.

The Milan star hit the post with a header in the 17th, smashed a right-footed strike into the crossbar in the 47th and hit the post again from close range in the 65th.

Japan lead the group with six points, three clear of Iraq and Jordan. Javier Aguirre's men need only a point in their final group game against Jordan on Jan. 20 to clinch their berth in the quarterfinals.