National News

Japan on its way to World Cup

BANGKOK (AP) - Japan defeated North Korea 2-0 in Bangkok on June 8 to qualify for next year's soccer World Cup.

Japan's coach Zico (right) celebrates after his team made it into the 2006 World Cup finals, defeating North Korea during a qualifier in Bangkok on June 8.

Late goals by Atsushi Yanagisawa in the 73rd minute and substitute Masashi Oguro in the 88th minute gave Japan the win and made it the first team to join host Germany at the 2006 finals

FIFA, soccer's world governing body, ordered the match, originally scheduled for Pyongyang, to be played in Thailand in a stadium closed to the public. The decision came because fans in North Korea rioted after a World Cup qualifying loss to Iran in Pyongyang.

The absence of fans was matched by a general lack of intensity on the field, especially in the scoreless first half. But the pace picked up after the break, with Japan taking advantage of North Korea's sloppy defense to score its two goals

"I am very proud," Japan's Brazilian-born coach, Zico, said. "We played 11 matches and lost just one, which was a decent record."

"It's a huge relief to qualify," said Japan captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto. "We lost to Iran but the team came together after that and proved we deserve to qualify."

Shukan ST: June 17, 2005

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