Only own-goals as Japan and Australia draw 1-1 in Asian World Cup qualifying

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Two own-goals saw the points shared Tuesday as Japan and Australia drew 1-1 in Asian World Cup qualifying.

Shogo Taniguchi accidentally put Australia ahead just before the hour at Saitama Stadium, but Australia's Cameron Burgess returned the favor soon after to leave Japan top of Group C with 10 points from four games, five clear of the Socceroos in second.

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, third and fourth, meet later Tuesday.

“I’m very proud of that performance – the calmness and composure that we showed in defense,” said Australia midfielder Jackson Irvine. “It’s a top foundation for us to move forward.”

Japan, which has appeared at every World Cup since 1998, attacked from the beginning but struggled to create clear chances despite the majority of possession. Takefusa Kubo had the best chance, shooting into the side of the net from close range while Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma had a shot deflected wide.

It was more of the same in the second half but, just after former Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino headed wide, Australia stunned the hosts by taking the lead after 58 minutes with a goal that came out of nothing.

Lewis Miller crossed into the area from the right and Taniguchi tried to clear but only succeeded in diverting the ball past the diving Zion Suzuki and into the net to the delight of the small number of visiting fans.

It was the first time that Japan had conceded in 10 qualifiers in the second and third rounds but the team got the equalizer thanks to another own-goal after 76 minutes. Keito Nakamura dribbled down the left and his low cross hit Burgess and went into the net from close range.

Japan pressed in an attempt to get the winning goal and maintain its perfect record in qualification but had to settle for the point.

The top two from each of the three six-team groups in the third round qualify automatically for the World Cup while the third and fourth-place teams will advance to the next stage to compete for two more spots.

There was another top two meeting in Group B as South Korea beat Iraq 3-2 in Yongin to move three points clear.

Oh Se-hun gave the hosts the lead four minutes before the break only for Aymen Hussein to level for Iraq six minutes after with a spectacular bicycle kick. Oh Hyeong-gyu and Lee Jae-sung both struck late to secure the win and leave South Korea on course for an 11th successive World Cup appearance.

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Japan's Kaoru Mitoma and Australia's Cameron Burgess, center, in the air, compete for the ball during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Australia and Japan at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Kaoru Mitoma, left, and Australia's Cameron Burgess compete for the ball during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Australia and Japan at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Australia's goalkeeper Joe Gauci, right, extends his hand as Australia's and Japan's players greet each other after the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Australia and Japan ended in a draw at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Australia's Aziz Behich, right, and Japan's Koki Ogawa compete for the ball during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Australia and Japan at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

South Korea's Oh Se-hun, second rom right, celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Iraq during the Asian qualifier group B match for 2026 World Cup between South Korea and Iraq at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

South Korea's Lee Kang-in, left, fights for the ball with Iraq's Ahmed Yahya Al-Hajjaj during the Asian qualifier group B match for 2026 World Cup between South Korea and Iraq at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

South Korea's Oh Se-hun reacts after scoring a goal against Iraq during the Asian qualifier group B match for 2026 World Cup between South Korea and Iraq at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Japan's Koki Machida, left, and Australia's Craig Goodwin compete for the ball during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Australia and Japan at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Ayase Ueda, left, and Australia's Patrick Yazbek compete for the ball during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Australia and Japan at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Koki Machida, left, and Australia's Craig Goodwin compete for the ball during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Australia and Japan at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Australia's goalkeeper Joe Gauci jumps up in the air to make a save during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Australia and Japan at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

NEW YORK (AP) — Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tori Amos is working on a children's book — her first — that she hopes will help young people follow their own paths of inspiration.

“Tori and the Muses” will be published March 4 by the Penguin Random House imprint Penguin Workshop. Illustrated by Demelsa Haughton, Amos' book tells of a girl blessed with the guidance of 11 secret muses who reveal to her a world rich in material for an emerging artist.

“In a time where children’s minds are dominated by small screens, I really wanted to offer up a different way for the reader to find inspiration and magic, that is all around each of us," Amos said in a statement. “For me the muses allowed me to escape the concrete boundaries that confined me and enabled me to find a place where I could create without fear of judgment. The muses are there for everyone should you ever wish to look and trust me here.”

Amos, 61, is known for such songs as “Spark,” “Professional Widow” and “A Sorta Fairytale.” Her previous books include “Piece by Piece” and “Resistance: A Songwriter’s Story of Hope, Change, and Courage.”

This story has been updated to correct that Tori Amos is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter.

This cover image released by Penguin Young Readers shows "Tori and the Muses" by Tori Amos with illustrations by Demelsa Haughton. (Penguin Young Readers via AP)