SAITAMA — Japan complicated its bid for a place at the 2010 World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Group A struggler Uzbekistan on Wednesday night.
Uzbekistan, which started the campaign with two defeats to Qatar and Australia, took the lead in the 27th minute at Saitama Stadium through captain Maksim Shatskikh, playing a physical, aggressive game that had Japan on the rack early on.
But Shunsuke Nakamura dragged his teammates back into it as he tipped the balance of play in Japan's favor, and after the home side had wasted several of the Celtic playmaker's promptings, Keiji Tamada pounced for the equalizer.