Video: Japan finish Iraq's hopes of Brazil 2014 with 1-0 win

Japan beat Iraq 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Doha on Tuesday, leaving the Iraqis unable to reach the finals in Brazil in 2014.

Iraq faced already qualified Japan in a make-or-break Asia Group B World Cup qualifier on Tuesday in Doha.

Having advanced to Brazil last week, Japan fielded a weakened side but still controlled the match early on.

They could have opened the scoring through (8) Hiroshi Kiyotake in the 26th minute but his shot was parried by Iraqi goalkeeper Noor Sabri Abbas.

In the 32nd minute, Kiyotake lifted a ball towards Mike Havenaar, but the Vitesse striker couldn’t get his header on target – and the match went to the half goalless.

A desperate Iraq finally began attacking after the restart, however (6) Saif Salman Hashim’s long effort was easy to stop for Eiji Kawashima.

In the 69th minute, (17) Ala’a Abdulzehra turned well near the penalty spot but his shot sailed over to keep the Iraqis frustrated.

Iraq’s chances of winning were dealt a blow in the 81st minute when (17) Abdulzehra kicked Japan’s (2) Masahiko Inoha in the face.

Inoha slumped in pain and Abdulzehra was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving Iraq with ten men for the remainder of the contest.

And so Japan took advantage.

A minute before stoppage time (7) Yasuhito Endo got the ball across to (9) Shinji Okazaki, who slotted home.

The game finished 1-0, and finished Iraq’s hopes of Brazil 2014.