SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) on Tuesday 13 June faced Iraq National Team at the PAS Stadium in the neutral city of Teheran and saw forward OSAKO Yuya (1.FC Koeln) score the opening goal, but forced to a draw after conceding a second-half equaliser.

As a result, Japan improved to 17 points with 5 wins, 1 loss and 3 draws and maintained the top spot of Group B, one point ahead of second-placed Saudi Arabia and third-placed Australia, both sitting on 16 points.

In the blistering sun and intense heat with temperatures heading north of 37℃, Japan, despite scoring the opening goal, endured a difficult match after a string of injuries.

Coach Vahid HALILHODZIC employed a 4-2-3-1 formation to face an important away encounter. As with the previous match, two centre backs were defenders SHOJI Gen (Kashima Antlers) and YOSHIDA Maya (Southampton FC), and, making his debut in the starting line-ups for the national team, midfielder IDEGUCHI Yosuke (Gamba Osaka) paired up with midfielder ENDO Wataru (Urawa Red Diamonds) for the first time as defensive midfielders. Aligned from right to left, three attacking midfielders were forward HONDA Keisuke (AC Milan), who started the game for the first time in five games, forward HARAGUCHI Genki (Hertha BSC Berlin) and forward KUBO Yuya (KAA Gent).....

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