SAITAMA -- An own goal in the second half gave Japan a priceless 1-0 victory over Bahrain in a Group B qualifying match for the 2006 World Cup at Saitama Stadium 2002 on Wednesday night.
As Japan piled on the pressure in the quest for three precious points, Bahrain playmaker Mohamed Salmeen tried to kick the ball for a corner, but succeeded only in finding the corner of his own net.
It was a bizarre goal, coming in the 71st minute, and continued the good fortune for Zico and his team after last-gasp victories over Oman and North Korea at the same venue in earlier qualifying games.