Goal row as UAE stun Japan

Japan’s Keisuke Honda (left) and Maya Yoshida react in disappointment after their 1-2 loss to the United Arab Emirates in their qualifying match in Saitama, Tokyo, on Thursday. (Photo: AP)

Japan were left fuming over a refereeing howler after a shock defeat to UAE rocked their World Cup qualifying campaign on Thursday, while South Korea held off China to win 3-2.

Asian champions Australia overcame a nervy start to beat Iraq 2-0 as Asia’s third round of 2018 World Cup qualifying got underway, with 12 teams vying for four automatic berths.

Japan were favourites to beat UAE in Saitama and they took the lead through AC Milan forward Keisuke Honda’s header in the 11th minute.

But Ahmed Khalil’s sumptuous free kick and penalty either side of half-time ensured a 2-1 win for the visitors, who also got lucky when Japan had a late equaliser disallowed.

Japan should have finished the game 2-2 but the officials failed to spot that Takuma Asano’s shot, clawed away by Khalid Eisa, had crossed the line, as shown by tv replays.

Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim waved away Japan’s protests as the Blue Samurai crashed once again to UAE, their conquerors in last year’s Asian Cup quarter-finals.

“The referee was unacceptable,” thundered Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic after the game.