JAPAN FIRST to book World Cup spot! ｜ Japan - Bahrain ｜ Highlights #AsianQualifiers - Road To 26

Group C leaders Japan come into this game against Bahrain knowing that one more win will take them to the World Cup. An eighth consecutive qualification seems like almost a formality at this point but coach Moriyasu will hope to get his team officially over the line today. The visitors still very much in the battle for second spot as well. Bahrain free kick from near the corner flag it's headed out but only as far as Ali Madan. He can pick that up in space sends it back into the box acrobatically over the top. Phil Marks for the effort from Mahdi Hassan had to improvise but couldn't quite keep it down. Kubo will chase after this one on the right keeps it just in before it crosses the touchline. Kubo blocked as he tries to get into the area he'll come back in from Endo to Kubo and he couldn't find the finish. Amin Benadi with a fantastic block Halftime rapidly approaching now still no breakthrough for either side. Japan still pushing for the goal before the interval though Morita picks out a great ball for Mitoma it's blazed over from the angle on the left. That's a couple of times now that passes have scythed through the Bahrain back line but they cannot find the right finishes. The hour mark has passed Kamada and Ito coming on for Japan. They've missed their targets with too many passes in this second half Japan from the back a little bit of space to move forward up to the halfway line they go there's a good ball in. Kubo links up well with Daichi Kamada and through for Japan. Finally they find the back of the best moments of the second half by far. Samurai Blue find the clinical edge which might well carry them to the World Cup. Kamada's been on the field for not even three minutes He's sent out towards Kubo he's got acres of space on the left hand side. Kubo Takafusa cuts it onto his right foot. Good shot and a good save. Ebrahim Lutfala diving across to his left to keep this at just one nil. Bahrain hanging on in there. Ito picks up Kubo down the left again Kubo goes in and will do it for Japan. What a finish from Kubo Takafusa One of the young stars of Japanese football will help to send them to the biggest stage Japan are going to the World Cup. They've become the first non-host nation to qualify and they've done so with three games to spare. Bahrain have a big game against Indonesia next up but at the Saitama Stadium today is a day for the Samurai Blue