Road to Qatar: how Japan qualified for World Cup 2022

Japan booked their place at the Qatar World Cup with a game to spare following a dramatic victory in Australia.

Two last-gasp goals from substitute Kaoru Mitoma in Sydney sparked wild celebrations from the visitors, who would end up second in their qualifying group behind Saudi Arabia. The Japanese have now reached seven World Cup finals in a row since 1998.

“I knew it was going to be a close match so when I was on the bench all I was thinking was, when I got on the field of play I just had to do my job and score a goal,” said Mitoma after the match.

“I feel really happy for the players and people back in Japan, and everyone who is a Japanese fan.”

In Qatar, Japan were drawn in Group E alongside Spain, Costa Rica and Germany.

November 23 Germany v Japan – Khalifa International Stadium (5pm)

November 27 Japan v Costa Rica – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (2pm)

December 1 Japan v Spain – Khalifa International Stadium (11pm)

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu celebrates after his team qualfied for the Qatar World Cup. AP

Second round (Group F)

September 10, 2019 Myanmar 0 Japan 2 (Nakajima 16', Minamino 26')

October 10, 2019 Japan 6 (Minamino 22', Yoshida 29', Nagatomo 33', Nagai 40', Endo 57', Kamada 82') Mongolia 0

October 15, 2019 Tajikstan 0 Japan 3 (Minamino 53', 55', Asano 82')

November 14, 2019 Kyrgyzstan 0 Japan 2 (Minamino pen 41', Haraguchi 54')

March 30, 2021 Mongolia 0 Japan 14 (Minamino 13', Osako 23', 55', 90+2', Kamada 26', Morita 33', Tuya og 39', Inagaki 68', 90+3', Ito 73', 79', Furuhashi 78', 87', Asano 90+1')

May 28, 2021 Japan 10 Minamino 8', 66', Osako 22', pen 30', 36', 49', 88', Morita 57', Kamada 84', Itakura 90+1') Myanmar 0

June 7, 2021 Japan 4 (Furuhashi 6', Minamino 40', Hashimoto 51', Kawabe 71') Tajikstan