Saleh Bashir struck in the second half as Saudi Arabia condemned Japan to its first defeat under new coach Ivica Osim with a 1-0 win in an Asian Cup qualifier on Sunday.
Japan's players, led by 'keeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi trudge off the pitch after losing 1-0 to Saudi Arabia in their Asian Cup qualifier in Jid da, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
KYODO PHOTOBashir netted the decisive goal 17 minutes from time at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium when he collected a deflected ball inside the area and drilled past Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi to put the Saudis top of Group A.
Saudi Arabia moved three points clear of Japan with a maximum nine points from three games. Yemen is third with three points and winless India bottom without a point.