Analysis: Socceroos win ugly, but there’s a silver lining among the need to find improvement

It was ugly, but all that matters is Aziz Behich’s 90th screamer gave the Socceroos their first win over Japan in 16 years and, crucially, a foot in the door of the 2026 World Cup. ERIN SMITH unpacks what went wrong, and what’s to learn, from the win.

It was ugly, uninspiring game of football but all that anyone will remember is the freak goal in the 90th minute that put the Socceroos through to its sixth consecutive World Cup.

And at the end of the day it really doesn’t matter how they got there, the scoresheet reads Australia 1, Japan 0.

It is the first time in 16 years Australia has beaten its top Asian rival and just the first time since October 2021 Japan have lost a World Cup qualifier.

The match should have been Japan’s.

Socceroos looked outclassed from the opening whistle.

A super slick Japanese side, boasting three debutants, moved the ball from one end of the pitch to the other like it was sliding on ice and there were no opponents on the field.

You would be hard pressed to find a clip in the highlight reel from the opening 45 minutes of a player wearing green and gold with the ball at their feet.

Aziz Behich is mobbed by his Socceroos teammates. Picture: Getty Images

At the half time break Australia had a passing accuracy of just 69 per cent and just 30 per cent possession. The shot tally sat at 8 to 1.

There was slight improvement in the second half, the Socceroos got a few more shots off but Japan were still clearly in control.

But in the 90th minute super sub Riley McGree danced through the Japanese defence, got a ball off to Aziz Behich.

Aziz Behich goal vs Japan

Behich, who hasn’t scored a national team goal in over a decade, locked eyes on the ball and belted it towards the goal - he didn’t even seem to have looked at the goal.

And it went in with just seconds left on the clock.

It was the most unlikely of goals, that really came out of nothing.

While a historic win coach Tony Popovic has plenty to work on before next year’s World Cup.

Alessandro Circati enjoyed a strong performance for the Socceroos. Picture: Getty Images

PLENTY OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

The game will go down as a win but if Popovic’s isn’t going back to the drawing board after that game then Socceroos will be in some trouble come the World Cup.

Socceroos struggled to match it with the second tier Japanese side that was missing a host of stars.

Fans were quick to criticise the performance via social media with some likening the Socceroos’ to “witches hats” and others questioning their creativity or wondering if they should turn off the television.

Lewis Miller turns with the ball. Picture: Getty Images

The stats are far from in Australia’s favour. The passing accuracy hit a peak of 72 per cent, possession was at one point 16 per cent - rising to 31 per cent. Socceroos made just 297 passes to Japan’s 640.

On the rare occasion the Socceroos did get the ball they were wasteful with it and had few options moving forward.

A SILVER LINING

While it was terrible to watch and far from pretty football from the Socceroos there was a sliver of a silver lining in the fact they kept a clean sheet.

Credit for that clean sheet can’t all be given to the Socceroos defence - but they certainly get some of it.

Japan had 13 shots compared to Australia’s 6. They lacked composure in the final third and if it had been a full strength Japanese squad it is very unlikely the clean sheet would have held.

But the Socceroos did force Japan to take a number of shots from distance and somewhat managed to disrupt their attack.

Walking away with a clean sheet will give the Socceroos a needed confidence boost going into their clash with Saudi Arabia.

Takefusa Kubo takes a shot at goal for Japan. Picture: Getty Images

CASUALTY WARD

The Socceroos certainly weren’t at full strength tonight, and Jackson Irvine’s absence was very obvious.

Irvine, a midfielder, has been a key part of Australia’s World Cup qualifiers so far - scoring three goals during the campaign. He is the playmaker and engine of the midfield and no one really stepped up to fill the hole in Thursday night’s clash with Japan.

Riley McGree, who came on off the bench, probably provided the biggest energy boost to the squad.

Nishan Velupillay, Craig Goodwin and Mathew Leckie are also off the squad list with injuries.

But there was plenty of experience in this Socceroos squad - unlike the Japanese side which had three debutants.

Popovic needs to find some answers because the success of tournament football, such as the World Cup, is squad depth.

Jason Geria receives treatment after a late head clash. Picture: Getty Images

STILL A BIG GAME TO GO

The World Cup spot might be locked in but the final qualifier clash with Saudi Arabia is far from a dead rubber.

Last time the two teams met it ended in a 0-0 draw.

Australia scraped through with a very lucky win over Japan - it needs to go out and play a much better brand of football against Saudi Arabia - prove what they can do on the pitch when they have a bit more freedom and less pressure on their shoulders.

It is a chance for up and coming players to stake their claim for a spot in the squad ahead of the huge World Cup tournament and Popovic to prove the Socceroos have more to offer.

Originally published as Analysis: Socceroos win ugly, but there’s a silver lining among the need to find improvement