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Defending champions Japan lead Iraq 1-0 in Asian Cup first half

Xinhua, January 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

A penalty kick from Keisuke Hondo helped defending champions Japan lead 1-0 over Iraq in the first half of the 2015 Asian Cup Group D's second round match here on Friday.

The four-time Asian Cup champions dominated the field well and Shinji Kagawa's long shot in the 11th minute only missed the bar and went slicely wide.

Japan almost broke the deadlock in the l7th minute when a fantastic delivery from Yoto Nakgtomo gave Honda a threatening header, which hit the post.

The first goal came in the 24th minute as Honda earned a penalty shot and the AC Milan midfielder stepped up to slot home it. Hoda collected a rebound from Iraq's goalkeeper Hassan's save but was sandwiched by two Iraqi players to a foul in the box.

Japan got the chance to expand their lead five minutes later when Shinji Okazaki's header found the target, but only saw the ball deined by Hassan.

Both teams have won their first match in this Asian Cup Group D as Japan smashed Palestine 4-1 and Iraq beat Jordan 1-0.

The two teams have met only once at the AFC Asian Cup finals in 2000 when Japan prevailed 4-1 in the quarterfinal. Endi