Socceroos first-half fizzer against Japan won’t happen again: Matthew Spiranovic

THE Socceroos left their game in the locker room in the first half of their World Cup qualifier with Japan, but that won’t happen again, defender Matthew Spiranovic says.

Spiranovic went close against Japan, but he does not want to see a repeat of the Socceroos dismal first half. Picture: Getty Images

DEFENDER Matthew Spiranovic says belief in their own ability will ensure the Socceroos do not suffer a repeat of Tuesday night’s first half missteps throughout the remainder of World Cup qualifying.

Australia struggled to break down a defensive Japanese side after the visitors went ahead in the fifth-minute at Etihad Stadium.

But the Socceroos returned from the changerooms a different side, with Mile Jedinak’s 52nd-minute penalty ensuring his side took a deserved share of the spoils.

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Spiranovic said coach Ange Postecoglou remained calm during his half time address.

“He said we just had to be smarter and back ourselves. Play our game,” Spiranovic said.

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“We started to shy away from what we normally do, we just had to focus ourselves and get back on track.

“And in the second half we totally dominated. They sat back and tried to get us on the counter, so perhaps it was a little bit disappointing that we didn’t come away with more because we had an excellent chance at the end as well.”

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Tomi Juric won the penalty for Australia, but he endured a frustrating night. Picture: AAP

Strikers Tomi Juric and Apo Giannou endured a frustrating night, particularly in the first half when Japan defended stoutly, at times with all 11 players in their defensive third.

Postecoglou deployed a diamond midfield with Jedinak shielding the attack-minded trio of Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic and Massimo Luongo.

Juric, who scored twice in the first three games of this stage of qualification, said he had no problem with either formation.

“If we work well with two upfront then it works really good for us,” Juric said.

“But also if we play well in midfield and have just one (striker) upfront then that works for us as well.

“We just weren’t doing our part in midfield in the first half, we could have found the pockets a little bit better and that would have given us more opportunity going forward.

“But we improved that in the second half and that showed, we had much more control of the game.

“If we started like that in the first half and we found our stride early then it could have been a different game.”

Originally published as Socceroos first-half fizzer against Japan won’t happen again: Matthew Spiranovic