Japan becomes 1st team to qualify for 2010 World Cup by winning 1-0 at Uzbekistan

Japan is 1st qualifier for 2010 World Cup

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Japan has become the first country to qualify for soccer’s 2010 World Cup by beating Uzbekistan 1-0 in a qualifier.

Japan advanced with two games to spare and will be appearing in its fourth straight World Cup. Host South Africa is automatically in the field, and Australia can qualify with a win or draw at Qatar on Saturday.

Japan beat Uzbekistan on a ninth-minute goal by Shinji Okazaki. Uzbekistan must win its final qualifier and rely on Bahrain losing its two remaining games if it is to have a chance of advancing.