Tehran: Group B leaders Japan will want to put some space between themselves and chasers Saudi Arabia and their Matchday Nine opponents, Australia. A victory over Iraq on Tuesday would move the Samurai Blue three points clear at the top of the group and put them back in pole position for an automatic qualification place for Russia 2018.
At Saitama Stadium in March, Japan secured a comfortable 4-0 win over bottom placed Thailand as they continued their six-match unbeaten run after a shock opening group home defeat to the United Arab Emirates, taking them closer to a sixth straight FIFA World Cup appearance.
Hosts Iraq, playing at their adopted home at PAS Tehran Stadium, meanwhile, were eliminated after a 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, a result which cost coach Radhi Shanaishel his job as the 2007 AFC Asian Cup champions lost five of their seven Group B matches. Basim Qasim the coach of 2016 AFC Cup winners Air Force Club takes charge for the remaining three group qualifying matches.
Japan suffered a blow with the withdrawal of Borussia Dortmund playmaker Shinji Kagawa who was ruled out after dislocating his shoulder only nine minutes into a 1-1 friendly draw with Syria in Tokyo. For Iraq, left back Dhargham Ismail is out with a long-term injury while Sweden-based midfielder Brwa Nouri of Östersunds FK is recalled.
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com