Japan to play Canada before World Cup qualifier

Asian Cup holders Japan will take on Canada in preparation for a World Cup qualifier against Jordan in March, the Japan Football Association said on Thursday. The game against Canada will take place in the Qatari capital Doha on March 22, four days before the Blue Samurai take on Jordan, needing only one win to guarantee their berth in the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil. Japan have 13 points from four wins and a draw, ahead of Australia, Iraq and Oman on five points each, and Jordan on four points in Group B of the Asian final qualifying round. Canada are out of contention in the North-Central American qualifying round, finishing third behind Honduras and Panama in Group C. In their only previous meeting, Japan defeated Canada 3-0 in the Confederations Cup in 2001.