Okazaki Features As Japan Book World Cup Spot

Internationals
31 Aug 2017
1 Minute
Leicester City's Shinji Okazaki emerged from the bench as Japan qualified for the World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Australia in Saitama on Thursday.

- Shinji Okazaki was a second half substitute as Japan defeated Australia 2-0 in Saitama
- The Leicester City striker came off the bench to help his country reach the 2018 World Cup
- Okazaki has 50 international goals to his name in 109 appearances for the Samurai Blues
- Another 10 Foxes could appear for their respective nations on Friday

Okazaki, 31, replaced FC Köln's Yuya Osako in the 87th minute for Vahid Halilhodžić men as they went four points clear of Saudi Arabia in Asian Group B with one game to play, courtesy of strikes from Takuma Asano and Yosuke Ideguchi.

The 5ft 9in forward has scored 50 goals in 109 appearances for the Samurai Blues but was named on the bench alongside other high-profile figures including Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda.

Okazaki and his team-mates next travel to King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday (6:30pm BST) as Saudi Arabia look to join Japan, Iran, Brazil and hosts Russia at next summer's contest.

From City’s 18-strong international contingent, another 10 could appear on Friday.

Daniel Amartey (Ghana), Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Ahmed Musa (Nigeria), Jamie Vardy, Harry Maguire (England), Demarai Gray, Ben Chilwell (England U21s), Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark), and Alex Pascanu (Romania U21s) may all feature.

Check back to LCFC.com throughout the week for updates on all of the Club's on-duty players.