No breakthrough for Samurai Blue! ｜ Japan - Saudi Arabia ｜ Highlights #AsianQualifiers - Road To 26

While Japan have already secured an eighth consecutive World Cup appearance, third-placed Saudi Arabia still have work to do with the second automatic qualification spot still up for grabs. And the Green Falcons need a win today in the Saitama Stadium if they want to keep the pressure on current Group C runners-up Australia. Into the action we go, ninth minute of play. Japan with six changes to the team that beat Bahrain and booked their place at the World Cup. One of those changes, Maeda, the first chance there, sees his effort come crashing off the right post. The pressure coming from Samurai Blue in the first half, 19th minute, Maeda taking advantage of a slight lapse in concentration at the back by Lajami, and it's an easy save for Nawaf Al-Aqidi. Good pressing by Maeda, but can't get the ball out from underneath his feet. In the end, it's really trouble for the Saudi Arabian goalkeeper. The Green Falcons with not too much going forward in the first of 45, it's their best chance. And, well, well over the crossbar in the end by Al-Shanqiti, picked out by Abu-Washu, decent delivery, just couldn't get the header on target. 27th minute, moments later, Japan coming forward down the right. Sakafusa Kubo goes for goal himself, it's a decent effort, an audacious one from that far out. She just wouldn't dip for it, goes over the crossbar, nil-nil at the break in Saitama. 56th minute, pretty much the same story in the second half with Japan creating the opportunities. Nothing clear-cut though, Maeda getting close, not close enough, Al-Aqidi able to come out and collect. 59th minute now, Samurai Blue looking for the opening goal, another ball over the top to Maeda, able to get the shot off this time, can't keep the looping effort down, trying to dink it over the keeper. In the end, a little too much dink on it though, as it goes over and wide. Into the final 10 minutes now, Japan bringing on Junior Ito, gets on the end of a lovely threaded through ball from Komada, takes it first time, looking for the top corner, tipped over by Al-Aqidi. And so it ends, all square in Saitama as Samurai Blue add another point to their tally at the top of Group B, while Saudi Arabia now need to pick up points in their final two games and hope Australia stumble in theirs if the Green Falcons want to finish in the top two come the end of the group stage.