Japan have sealed a place in the FIFA World Cup Finals 2006, with two late goals against the DPR Korea, after a mostly un-exciting, and bitty match in Bangkok today.

Having already beaten North Korea 2-1 in their earlier meeting, the Japanese only needed one point to seal a place in next summer�€™s finals in Germany. In contrast, Korea desperately needed at least a draw for them to have any chance of qualification. But having only scored twice, and conceding seven in their last four qualification outings, the Japanese were clear favourites to take all three points.

The game was played at a neutral venue, and behind closed doors, after a FIFA ruling, due to crowd trouble in North Korea's last home match against Iran. This led to an eerily quiet atmosphere, which seemed to rub off on the players, and the first half was a tawdry affair. Apart from a few half chances, most notably a great close range save from the DPR keeper from a free kick emanating from a questionable hand-ball decision, the game went into the break 0-0.

The North Koreans came out after the break with a far better attitude, and showing far more initiative. This was very possibly due to the Japanese team having inexplicably substituted their most prolific player from the first half, Suzuki, who was the only player that seemed to show any passion for the fixture to this point.

But, the substitution seemed to galvanise the former World Cup hosts as well, and after both teams having a few half-chances, the Japanese began to show their experience. Junimichi Inamoto did well to get in a flying cross in the 52nd minute, after a good piece of inter-play, but unfortunately, it had too much power for his fellow strikers to connect. Oguro also had a great run at goal, but failed to look around for a pass, and spoiled his shot.

The North Koreans tamely attempted a few moves of their own, with Kim Song Chol showing his pace against the Japanese back row, but shooting wide. This was soon followed by a promising free kick for the Koreans, which was intercepted, and produced the best play of the game so far, with Yanagasawa storming forward and unleashing a fierce shot that was pushed wide. Tackles then started coming in fairly wildly from both sides at this point, with the referee having to bring out his book for the first time.

The deadlock was finally broken by Japan in the 72nd minute, when Yanagasawa scored a superb stretching goal from a North Korean defensive header, that the keeper had no chance of saving. That was Yanagasawa�€™s 14th goal for his country in 46 appearances.

This though triggered a Japanese stifling policy, with the leaders passing between themselves, to further frustrate the Koreans, and the Koreans in turn pushing way up to the half way line, and consistently catching the Japanese offside.

It was all over for the North Koreans though, when, in injury time, Oguro managed to beat the offside trap, bamboozle the Korean goalie, and shimmy wide of him, to slot the ball home to make it 2-0.

This will be the third consecutive appearance in the FIFA World Cup Finals for the Japanese team, and a relief for their manager, Brazilian legend Zico, who will thrive on the opportunity to manage a team in �€œThe Greatest Show on Earth�€�.

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