LIVE: FIFA World Cup qualifiers

[TheGift]

Japan returned to winning ways in the third phase of Asian qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ by beating Oman 3-0 at the International Stadium in Yokohama. Goals from Yuji Nakazawa, Yoshito Okubo and Shunsuke Nakamura lifted Takeshi Okada's side to the top of Group 2, at least until the end of Bahrain's ongoing match with Thailand.

The Japanese now have six points from a possible nine, but Bahrain will make it maximum points from three outings if they run out victors today in Bangkok. Oman were left on three points, while the Thais have lost their two previous matches.

Prolific defender Nakazawa headed Japan in front on ten minutes, before diminutive Vissel Kobe forward Yoshito Okubo doubled their lead midway through the first half. Celtic's Shunsuke Nakamura completed the scoring shortly after the restart, spinning his marker and firing a right-foot shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Oman and Japan will resume their rivalry when the latter travel to Muscat for their next South Africa 2010 qualifier on Saturday.


Asian Zone, Round 3, Matchday 3 results:

31 May
Korea Republic 2-2 Jordan

1 June
Australia 1-0 Iraq

2 June
Japan 3-0 Oman

FIFA.com - LIVE: FIFA World Cup qualifiers