Takayuki Suzuki powered Japan into the final round of qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup with a second-half header as the Asian champion beat Oman 1-0 away in their crunch Group 3 clash in Muscat on Wednesday night.
The bustling Kashima Antlers striker netted his third goal in three matches in the 52nd minute to give Japan an unassailable lead with 15 points, six ahead of Oman before its final match at home to group minnow Singapore on Nov. 17.
Singapore beat India 2-0 in the day's other Group 3 fixture.