Defending champions Japan beat Iraq 1-0 in Asian Cup

A penalty kick from Keisuke Honda helped defending champions Japan beat Iraq 1-0 in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup Group D 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 goal came in the 24th minute as Honda earned a penalty shot and the AC Milan midfielder stepped up to slot it home. Honda 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 denied by Hassan.

Japan kept on their domination in the second half with only two minutes into the game as Honda got a shot from outside the area but just hit the crossbar again.

Later on, Iraq tried hard to launch their attacking, having lots of ball on the wings, but their crosses were being easily dealt with by the experienced Japanese backline.

Honda missed another opportunity to score in the 65th minute as his header hit the right bar.

Japan continued to press on in the closing minutes as Okazaki's header went over the bar.

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

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