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.