Australia falls to second in Asian qualifying after match day four draw with Japan

AUSTRALIA was knocked off top spot in World Cup qualifying after four games, leaving a tense battle ahead to make the Russia 2018 tournament.

Mile Jedinak of Australia (second from left) and Japanese players are seen after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier game between Australia and Japan at Etihad Stadium.

AUSTRALIA lost its hold on its World Cup qualifying group as Saudi Arabia’s impressive win over United Arab Emirates made the Socceroos pay for a lacklustre draw with Japan.

The Socceroos were hit by an early goal before eking out a 1-1 draw in Melbourne thanks to a fortunate penalty from Mile Jedinak.

Saudi Arabia later went top of the Group B standings with a 3-0 victory.

Australia’s coach Ange Postecoglou admitted he felt flat after Japan won the tactical battle, but felt his team was still well placed to advance from the group.

On the evidence of the first fur games, it won’t be a doddle.

SOCCEROOS REORT CARD: HOW AUSTRALIA WERE CAUGHT COLD

PLAYER RATINGS: HOW SOCCEROOS FARED V JAPAN

WHAT WE NEED

The top two teams from each of the two Asian groups will advance directly to Russia 2018.

If you finish third there’s a two-legged play off against the third placed team from Group A

(Korea Republic, China PR, Uzbekistan, Syria, Iran or Qatar) on October 5 and 10 next year.

The winner of the Asian playoff will face a CONCACAF nation home and away on November 6 and 14 for the final place at the 2018 World Cup.

So far, Australia have beaten Iraq at home and UAE away and draws against Saudi Arabia (away) and Japan (home) have kept them on the right path.

Saudi Arabia remains unbeaten and the home match against that rival, as well as away visits to Iraq and Japan shape as the big potential banana skins.

“I said at the draw the first five-game series is where we set it up and I think we’re in good shape — it was important we didn’t lose tonight,” said Postecoglou.

GROUP B STANDINGS

Saudi Arabia — Pl 4, W3, D 1, L 0, GD 5, Pts 10

Australia — Pl 4, W 2, D 2, L 0, GD 3, Pts 8

Japan — Pl 4, W 2, D 1, L 1, GD 2, Pts 7

UAE — Pl 4, W 2, D 0, L 2, GD -1, Pts 6

Iraq — Pl 4, W 1, D 0, L 3, GD 0, Pts 3

Thailand — Pl 4, W 0, D 0, L 4, GD -9, Pts 0

TOP FOUR’S WCQ THIRD ROUND SCHEDULE

AUSTRALIA

W 2-0 vs. Iraq, Perth

W 1-0 vs. United Arab Emirates

D 2-2 vs. Saudi Arabia, Jeddah

D 1-1 vs. Japan — Melbourne, October 11

vs. Thailand — Bangkok, November 15

vs. Iraq — TBC, March 23 (2017)

vs. United Arab Emirates — TBC, March 28 (2017)

vs. Saudi Arabia — TBC, June 8 (2017)

vs. Japan — TBC, August 31 (2017)

vs. Thailand — TBC, September 5 (2017)

JAPAN

L 1-2 vs. UAE, Saitama

W 2-0 vs. Thailand, Bangkok

W 2-1 vs. Iraq, Saitama

D 1-1 vs. Australia – Melbourne, October 11

vs. Saudi Arabia – Saitama, November 15

vs. UAE – TBC, March 23 (2017)

vs. Thailand – TBC, March 28 (2017)

vs. Iraq – TBC, June 13 (2017)

vs. Australia – TBC, August 31 (2017)

vs. Saudi Arabia – TBC, September 5 (2017)

SAUDI ARABIA

W 1-0 vs. Thailand, Riyadh

W 2-1 vs. Iraq, Shah Alam

D 2-2 vs. Australia, Jeddah

W 3-0 vs. UAE – Jeddah, October 11

vs. Japan – Saitama, November 15

vs. Thailand – TBC, March 23 (2017)

vs. Iraq – TBC, March 28 (2017)

vs. Australia – TBC, June 8 (2017)

vs. UAE — TBC, August 31 (2017)

vs. Japan – TBC, September 5 (2017)

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

W 2-1 vs. Japan, Saitama

L 1-0 vs. Australia, Abu Dhabi

W 3-1 vs. Thailand, Abu Dhabi

L 0-3 vs. Saudi Arabia – Jeddah, October 11

vs. Iraq – TBC, November 15

vs. Japan – TBC, March 23 (2017)

vs. Australia — TBC, March 28 (2017)

vs. Thailand – TBC, June 13 (2017)

vs. Saudi Arabia — TBC, August 31 (2017)

vs. Iraq – TBC, September 5 (2017)

Originally published as Australia falls to second in Asian qualifying after match day four draw with Japan