Japan close in on Brazil berth

Japan have all but sealed their place at the 2014 World Cup after Shinji Okazaki's goal handed them a 2-1 win over Oman in Muscat.

Japan have all but sealed their place at the 2014 World Cup after Shinji Okazaki's goal handed them a 2-1 win over Oman in Muscat.

Following a swift counterattack, the striker scored a minute from time to stun their hosts after Oman had equalised in the 77th minute.

The win propels the Blue Samurai to 13 points with three games remaining in Group B, with the Qantas Socceroos, Oman and Iraq on five points.

While Japan pretty much sealed their berth in Brazil, Iraq revived their flagging hopes with a 1-0 win over Jordan ion Doha, to lift themselves off the bottom of Group B.

The winner came courtesy of a rocket-like strike from striker Ahmed Hammadi, just a few minutes from the full-time whistle, and took Iraq to five points to be level with the Socceroos and Oman.

The next round of matches will see Australia host Oman and Jordan host a Japanese side who will be looking for the three points to seal their automatic qualification for Brazil 2014