World Cup qualifier: Japan under immense pressure to get win over Socceroos and avoid Saudi Arabia trap

A SOCCEROOS star has made the extraordinary claim that there are many fans and players in Japan who want the Samurai Blue to lose to the Socceroos.

Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic is under immense pressure.

UPDATE: JAPAN-based Socceroo Milos Degenek has added fuel to an already fiery build-up to Thursday’s World Cup qualifier by saying many Japanese fans and players want their team to lose to the Socceroos.

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The majority of Ange Postecoglou’s 23-man squad have been filtering in since Sunday night, with the team having its first of three pre-game training sessions last night at the Nishigaoka Soccer Stadium.

Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic is under immense pressure.

Nine players - Mustafa Amini, Alex Gersbach, Jackson Irvine, Tomi Juric, Robbie Kruse, Mitch Langerak, Mat Leckie, Aaron Mooy and Matthew Spiranovic - were absent as they had not yet arrived.

But all eyes were on Trent Sainsbury, who is in a race against time to prove his fitness having not played since injuring his groin at the Confederations Cup in June.

The crucial central defender came to Tokyo early to receive treatment from Socceroos physio Les Gelis and last night the 25-year-old trained with the main group, moving freely, albeit in what was just a light 30-minute session.

While Australia is under the pump ahead of the game in Saitama knowing it needs at least a point to maintain any realistic hope of securing an automatic qualifying berth, there is just as much pressure on the hosts.

There is even talk coach Vahid Halilhodzic could be sacked ahead of next week’s daunting trip to Saudi Arabia if Japan does not win on Thursday night.

And Degenek, who plays for Yokohama F. Marinos, said plenty of locals think such a shake-up is needed.

Japan haven’t always looked convincing in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

“I think it’s mixed emotions in my team, in my club and what I’ve heard,” Degenek said.

“It’s kind of silly to say, but they kind of want us to win.

“They’ve got different reasons which I won’t mention, but they don’t all agree with the Japanese system and the coaching staff in Japan.

“The pressure on them is to win at home and not to go to Saudi Arabia and have to do the business there.

“They haven’t had the best of qualifying. From what I’ve heard the pressure’s on them and they’re not the best at dealing with pressure so we’ll see what happens.”

Sainsbury, Australia’s standout central defender in recent times, said he was happy to be back in Socceroos camp.

The two teams were evenly matched when they played in Melbourne late last year.

“Physically, I’ve had a bit of a rough time after the Confeds Cup,” Sainsbury said.

“But I’ve been working hard to get fit for my team in Jiangsu and fit for this game here because it’s a big game.”

The Socceroos spent almost a month together for a June run of matches that included the World Cup qualifying win against Saudi Arabia, a friendly against Brazil and the Confederations Cup in Russia.

And goalkeeper Mat Ryan, playing in the English Premier League for Brighton and Hove Albion, said that time together as a quasi-club side would still be of benefit this week.

“We were getting better with every game together in that period,” Ryan said.

“Obviously we’ve broken up for six weeks or so, but the challenge is on us now to build on that progress we made there.”