For only the second time since 1984, Saudi Arabia will not appear in the tournament final after a shock 1-0 loss to Jordan sent the team crashing out in the first round.
Japan, which needed a last-minute strike to scrape a draw against Jordan in its opening game, once again relied on a late goal as Keisuke Honda's 82nd-minute penalty earned his side a 2-1 win over Syria in the day's second game.
That was enough to send Japan top of Group B ahead of Jordan, which also has four points, and Syria on three points. The top two go through to the quarterfinals.
Saudi Arabia was definitely eliminated and has only pride to play for in its final match against Japan on Monday, when Syria faces Jordan.
