Japan in Neutral Site Qualifiers
Beginning with qualifiers for the 1998 World Cup, AFC has used home-and-away round robin format for its final qualifying round, instead of the single-venue format used in 1993. However, in each of the subsequent World Cup qualifying campaigns, Japan has determined its World Cup fate in neutral site matches.
In 1997, Japan and Iran finished 2nd in their respective qualifying groups for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and met in the 3rd place match on November 16, 1997 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The match would decide the 3rd and last automatic qualifier from Asia and the loser would face Australia in a two-legged playoff. Unlike the match four years ago, Japan fell behind in the second half, but scored a late equalizer and won 3-2 on a golden goal in extra time, earning the nation its first trip to the World Cup. This match was tagged "Joy of Johor Bahru" (ジョホールバルの歓喜, Johōrubaru no kanki?) in reference to the Agony of Doha.
On June 8, 2005, Japan beat North Korea 2-0 to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Although this match was scheduled as a home match for North Korea, it was moved to Bangkok, Thailand as punishment for crowd violence in a previous match held in Pyongyang, and was played in an empty stadium.
Japan qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup automatically as co-hosts.
Read more about this topic: Agony Of Doha
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—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)