Japan qualifies for W.Cup final round

Japan qualifies for W.Cup final round

TOKYO (AFP): Japan drew with Oman 1-1 to finish top of the Asian zone Group Four tournament here yesterday and assured themselves of a place in the final qualifying round for the 1998 World Cup Finals.

Hidetoshi Nakata put Japan one up only four minutes into the match, but Majdi Sahaaban Fatah Samir hit an equalizer into the right corner from a Mohamed Khamis Juma Al Araimi pass in the 64th minute.

Japan ended the competition with five wins and one draw for 16 points, three points ahead of Oman, who finished with four wins, one draw and a sole defeat.

Ten countries from Asia will take part in the final qualifying round starting in October.