Australia secure valuable point in hard-fought 1-1 draw with Japan
On a warm evening in Saitama, Tony Popovic’s side built on their positive display against China PR in Adelaide last week, with another promising performance against Group C leaders, Japan.
In a hard-fought encounter with Samurai Blue, it looked like the Socceroos might secure a historic win in Saitama, after taking the lead through a Shogo Taniguchi own goal, before Cam Burgess was unfortunate to deflect the ball into his own net to give Japan a share of the spoils.
Team NewsAustralia Head Coach Tony Popovic made six changes to the side that beat China PR 3-1 last Thursday with Jason Geria, Cam Burgess, Jordy Bos, Riley McGree, Ajdin Hrustic and Luke Brattan - making his Socceroos debut - all coming into the starting eleven. Thomas Deng, Kye Rowles, Aziz Behich, Aiden O’Neill, Nestory Irankunda and Craig Goodwin made way.
Australia lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation - the same system they used in the second half against China PR.
Japan also opted for their customary 3-4-2-1 structure, with coach Hajime Moriyasu making two changes from the Samurai Blue team that beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 last week, with Takefusa Kubo and Ao Tanaka replacing captain Wataru Endo and Daichi Kamada.
First HalfAfter a cagey start to proceedings, Japan managed the first shot of the game in the sixth minute, with tricky winger Takefusa Kubo striking the side netting from a narrow angle.
Throughout the first half, Japan enjoyed the lion’s share of possession (70%) but failed to create any meaningful chances, with the Australia backline - brilliantly marshalled by Harry Souttar - proving organised and resolute.
The hosts were constanlty looking to find their wide players - Kubo and Kaoru Mitoma - but, even when these tricky Japanese wingers received the ball, the Socceroos defence stood firm and kept the hosts’ goal threat to a minimum, with Souttar dominating in the air and Burgess regularly snuffing out attacks.
In a tense first half, the visitors struggled to keep the ball and put together any sustained periods of pressure. However, Bos provided a moment of spark in the 30th minute, winning the ball near the halfway line before surging forward and breaking into the box, where Kou Itakura brought an end to the threat from Australia’s gallivanting left wing-back.
In minute 34, Japan's Mitoma came close to breaking the deadlock, after cutting inside and curling towards goal, but Jason Geria was able to deflect the ball wide with his chest. The Melbourne Victory man once again looked supremely confident and comfortable at right centre-back.
Japan were struggling to find their usual flow, with Australia denying them the opportunity to play their game. The hosts managed six first-half shots, but only one hit the target and it wasn’t to trouble Australia goalkeeper Joe Gauci.
Second HalfTony Popovic made one change at the interval, with Patrick Yazbek replacing debutant Luke Brattan (cap #646) in midfield.
Australia enjoyed more possession in the early stages of the second half, with Japan and their home crowd becoming increasingly frustrated, having previously scored 14 goals in three games.
Japan continued to probe, with Kubo proving a thread down the right. His inswinging cross in the 57th minute found Takumi Minamino in a promising position, but the Monaco forward headed wide.
Then, in the same minute, Australia progressed up the field and Lewis Miller found himself with the ball in space on the right flank. Miller glanced up and then whipped in a wicked cross which Japan defender Shogo Taniguchi could only deflect into his own net with an outstretched leg. Japan conceding their first goal in Round Three qualification and Australia taking the all-important 1-0 lead.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/Socceroos/status/1846160276116459974Australia continued to grow in confidence, while Japan looked bereft of ideas as the half wore on, with Ao Tanaka’s 30-yard effortin the 71st minute failing to really test Gauci in the Australian net.
Both coaches made a number of changes throughout the half to try to stamp their authority on the game, but then in the 76th minute, Japan found their equaliser. After some good work from Keito Nakamura on the left wing, the Japan #13's incisive cross was deflected into his own goal by the unfortunate Cam Burgess.
Japan gained in momentum in the closing stages, but, despite looking menacing in their build-up play, failed to create any clear cut opportunities.
Australia held firm to claim a valuable away point in Japan and continue their positive uptick in form, closing this window with four points from two games.
The team now sit second in Group C in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ Road to 26 campaign - with other teams still to play - and will next be in action on Thursday 14 November when they host Saudi Arabia at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
Match DetailsJapan: 1Australia: 1Date: Tuesday, 15 October 2024Venue: Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama
Australia line-up: 18. Joe Gauci (GK), 3. Lewis Miller (Baccus 82'), 8. Jason Geria, 19. Harry Souttar, 21. Cam Burgess, 5. Jordy Bos (Behich 73'), 22. Jackson Irvine, 20. Luke Brattan (Yazbek 46'), 10. Ajdin Hrustic (Goodwin 88'), 14. Riley McGree, 15. Mitch Duke (Velupillay 73')
Unused substitutes: 1. Maty Ryan (GK), 12. Paul Izzo (GK) 2. Thomas Deng, 4. Kye Rowles, 9. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, 11. Nestory Irankunda, 13. Daniel Arzani
Yellow cards: Bos 61', Yazbek 80', Goodwin 88', Burgess 90'+3
Japan line-up: 1. Zion Suzuki (GK), 3. Shogo Taniguchi, 4. Kou Itakura, 5. Hidemasa Morita ©, 7. Kaoru Mitoma, 8. Takumi Minamino (Kamada 70'), 9. Ayase Ueda (Ogawa 83'), 10. Ritsu Doan (Ito 62'), 16. Koki Machida, 17. Ao Tanaka, 20. Takefusa Kubo (Nakamura 70')
Unused substitutes: 2. Yukinari Sugawara, 6. Joel Chima Fujita, 11. Daizen Maeda, 12. Keisuke Osako, 18. Henry Mochizuki, 21. Reo Hatate, 22. Ayumu Seko, 23. Kosei Tani
Next MatchAustralia v Saudi Arabia
Thursday, 14 November 2024Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, MelbourneKick-off: 8pm AEDTTickets: Start from $20 Child, $25 Concession, $35 Adult, and $65 Family. Tickets from Ticketek.Football Account Pre-Sale: 10.00am AEST on Thursday, 22 August 2024.General Public On-Sale: 2.00pm AEST Monday, 26 August 2024.
