Japan's Okada lives to fight another day

Under-fire Japan coach Takeshi Okada will live to fight another day after a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Qatar.

"I'm very grateful to the players," the 52-year-old told reporters after the victory in Doha. "They all stood up."

Okada had acknowledged that anything less than victory could result in his dismissal after last month's 1-1 home draw with Uzbekistan triggered widespread criticism.

The three-times Asian champions are second in Group A with seven points from three games. Leaders Australia have a maximum nine points after winning 1-0 in Bahrain.

Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, who played with a heavily bandaged left knee, orchestrated Japan's win with Tatsuya Tanaka, Keiji Tamada and Brazilian-born defender Tulio scoring the goals.

"We expected a tough game but the players didn't flinch or try and hide," said Okada, who led Japan to their first World Cup finals in 1998 during his first spell in charge.