NewsBite

Australia vs. Japan, 2018 World Cup qualifier in Saitama

AUSTRALIA face a rocky road to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, after copping the worst possible result against Japan.

Adam Santarossa
9 min read
August 31, 2017 - 11:49PM
Robbie Kruse of Australia reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Japan and Australia at Saitama Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
Robbie Kruse of Australia reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Japan and Australia at Saitama Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)

Live: Australia vs. Japan

Japan has secured its place at the 2018 World Cup after a 2-0 defeat of Australia in Saitama.

IT is now do or die for Australia after defeat to Japan in its World Cup qualifier in Saitama.

Goals to Yosuke Ideguchi and Takuma Asano handed Japan a 2-0 win, putting the Socceroos’ World Cup plans in a tailspin.

Ange Postecoglou’s side must now defeat Thailand in Melbourne on Tuesday to have any hope of progressing automatically out of the group.

Japan have secured top spot in the Group B, leaving Saudi Arabia and the Socceroos’ to fight for the remaining qualification spot.

Japan have 20 points in first place, as Saudi Arabia sit level with Australia on 16 points.

Saudi Arabia do enjoy a healthier goal difference over Australia, and would progress to Russia should they end on the same points.

The Socceroos’ must beat Thailand and hope Saudi Arabia fail to defeat Japan in its final qualifier.

The Samarai Blue now have nothing to play for away to Saudi Arabia, and may look to rest players.

Third place in the group faces a playoff with third place in Group A, likely South Korea or Uzbekistan. The winner of that tie will then face fourth place in CONCACAF (North/Central America) for the last spot at Russia 2018.

10.30pm

Full Time - ‘We have to climb Everest now’

Robbie Kruse of Australia reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier.
Robbie Kruse of Australia reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier.

JAPAN 2- 0 AUSTRALIA: Japan have booked its place in the 2018 World Cup, after a 2-0 win over the Socceroos’ in Saitama.

Goals to Yosuke Ideguchi and Takuma Asano gifted the Blue Samurai a place in Russia.

Japan have now qualified for every World Cup since 1998.

The Socceroos’ must now beat Thailand in its final World Cup qualifier in Melbourne on Tuesday and hope Japan take points off Saudi Arabia.

9.39pm

Second half – ‘We can still get a result’

Japan's Takuma Asano, left, takes the ball away from Australia's Brad Smith
Japan's Takuma Asano, left, takes the ball away from Australia's Brad Smith

81ST MINUTE: JAPAN 2-0 AUSTRALIA: Japan have surely booked its place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

After being denied by Sainsbury minutes earlier, Yosuke Ideguchi fired a thunderous strike past Mat Ryan, to double the home sides advantage.

Japan’s second strike came just as they wasted a couple of half-chances, invited in by mistakes at the back by Australia.

“They have to climb Everest now Australia,” commentator Simon Hill chimed.

“Or maybe in this part of the world, Mount Fuji.”

76TH MINUTE: JAPAN 1-0 AUSTRALIA 0: Somehow Japan did not extend its lead on 76 minutes, and Australia has Trent Sainsbury to thank.

The Socceroos’ defender put his body on the line, getting between the ball, as Japan’s Yosuke Ideguchi looked certain to make it 2-0.

“How did he do that Trent Sainsbury,” Fox Sports commentator Andy Harper said.

“That is a near-death experience for Australia.”

70TH MINUTE: JAPAN 1- AUSTRALIA 0: Australia have made its second change of the match, introducing Tim Cahill.

Cahill was brought on for Tom Rogic, who had been quiet for most of the match.

He has scored five times against Japan, including his famous double at the 2006 World Cup.

His introduction brought Australia to life, Robbie Kruse cutback almost found Tomi Juric, but the striker was unable to turn the ball home.

Kruse would eventually help the ball over the line, but the referee had already halted play for a foul by Cahill.

58TH MINUTE: JAPAN 1- AUSTRALIA 0: Ange Postecoglou has gone to his bench for the first time in the match, introducing Tomi Juric into the action, in place of James Troisi.

Juric has been under an injury cloud all week, having suffered a corked thigh over the weekend.

Juric scored a double against Saudi Arabia in the Socceroos’ last World Cup qualifier and Australia will be hopeful of some impact against Japan.

54TH MINUTE: JAPAN 1 – AUSTRALIA 0: Still Japan continue to pile the pressure on the Socceroos’.

Trent Sainsbury made a crucial challenge on Takashi Inui, as the Japanese star was about to shoot inside the area.

The Socceroos’ have looked unorganised since coming out for the second-half, Japan’s pace giving Australia problems.

48TH MINUTE: JAPAN 1- AUSTRALIA 0: Robbie Kruse very nearly caught Japan napping three minutes into the second half.

Maya Yoshida and goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima had a breakdown in communication and Kruse very nearly snuck between them to poke the ball home for the Socceroos’.

9.30pm

‘Everyone needs to lift’

Head coach Ange Postecoglou of Australia looks on.
Head coach Ange Postecoglou of Australia looks on.

Socceroos’ legend Mark Bosnich has urged Ange Postecoglou’s side to step up in the second half in Saitama.

“We need to see at least another 30 per cent from everyone,” Bosnich told Fox Sports.

“I still believe that a result is there for the taking. Like I said, I think Japan shaded it, but I done think they’re anything to write home about. If everyone steps up 30 per cent, I still think we can get a point out of this.

“The one thing I have noticed about Japan over the years especially against Australia, they’re not particularly good in finishing teams off.

“They look world beaters, but of all of a sudden they concede a goal and the whole thing collapse. Stay within one goal, we will get a chance and we will get a result out of this. ”

Bosnich urged Socceroos’ boss Postecoglou to introduce Tim Cahill, and introduce Alex Gersbach in place of Brad Smith – who was guilty of leaving his man unmarked for Japan’s goal.

9.20pm

Luck deserts Socceroos’

HALF-TIME: JAPAN 1- AUSTRALIA 0: Japan take a 1-0 lead to halftime, courtesy of Takuma Asano’s strike five minutes before the break.

Japan have enjoyed control of the contest for much of the first-half, despite Australia almost taking the lead.

Despite Matt Leckie’s deflected shot striking the post, Australia have failed to create any clear cut chances. Instead Japan have had more shots on goal, despite the Socceroos’ having more possession. Australia managed just two shots, while Japan have had eleven.

8.40pm

First half — Saitama is rocking

Fans wait for the start of the World Cup Group B qualifying match between Japan and Australia.
Fans wait for the start of the World Cup Group B qualifying match between Japan and Australia.

40TH MINUTE: JAPAN 1 — AUSTRALIA 0: Japan took the lead in Saitama on 40 minutes. Brad Smith was the villain, leaving striker Takuma Asano unattended in the area.

The Japanese striker made no mistake, dispatching the ball past Mat Ryan in goal, handing the home side the lead.

It was nearly 2-0 soon after, as Osako broke clear of the Socceroos’ defence, but fortunately the Japanese star failed to convert the opportunity.

37TH MINUTE: The Socceroos’ were centimetres from snatching the lead in Saitama.

Matthew Leckie found space on the edge of the 18-yard box and his shot took a wicked deflection, beating Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, but not the right hand post.

The ball slammed off the woodwork and stayed out, leaving us still without a goal.

30TH MINUTE: Chances have been few and far between for Australia. They created half an opening on the half-hour mark, when James Troisi shook his market, but Robbie Kruse could not reach the pass from the Melbourne Victory man in the area.

22ND MINUTE: Japan were gifted the first true chance of the match on 22 minutes. A sloppy ball out of the Socceroos’ defence was picked up by Osako — the striker forcing Mat Ryan into a strong save. Despite the early chances going to Japan, Australia have enjoyed more of the possession, 66 per cent to Japan’s 34 per cent.

13TH MINUTE : Japan were handed a highly controversial corner in the 13th minute after Takashi Inui’s shot flashed wide of the Australian goal.

Socceroos’ keeper Mat Ryan was ruled to have got a hand to the ball, but replays showed he did not get anywhere near it.

Fortunately for Australia, Ryan was on hand to punch the resulting corner clear.

10TH MINUTE :Japan have started the stronger in Saitama, spurned on by an incredible home crowd.

The home side have managed to get in behind the Socceroos’ a couple of times.

Hiroki Sakai has proven a menace early down Australia’s left hand side, working over Brad Smith.

8.10pm

Japan leave out big names

AUSTRALIA surprised with its starting side, but Japan has also come up with a shock of its own.

Under-fire coach Vahid Halilhodzic has left out superstars Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki, as all three are forced to settle with a place on the bench.

Instead, Halihodzic has gone for a youthful line-up, that could seal Japan’s place in Russia.

Reports from Japan suggest Halihodzic will be sacked if he does not get the job done in Saitama, but the under fire coach has remained stoic.

The Samarui Blue still have plenty of experience however with Yuto Nagatomo and captain Makoto Hasebe both named to start.

8pm

Ange’s Socceroo selection shock

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has made a key selection switch.
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has made a key selection switch.

SOCCEROOS boss Ange Postecoglou has made crucial changes to his side for tonight’s World Cup Qualifier against Japan.

In a shock move, Robbie Kruse will lead the line for the Socceroos’, as Postecoglou leaves his firepower on the bench.

Strike options Tim Cahill, Tomi Juric and Jamie Maclaren will all not start, and instead will hope for game time later in the match.

It’s a sign that the Socceroos’ coach will employ a low risk strategy, and tone down his attacking approach, given the stakes.

Juric scored two goals in Australia’s last qualifier against Saudi Arabia, but he has struggled with a corked thigh, and has not trained with the Socceroos’ this week.

Many believed Cahill would be given the starting job, should Juric not be passed fit, but he was also overlooked, perhaps for the fact his last competitive outing was June’s Confederations’ Cup tie with Chile.

Tim Cahill.
Tim Cahill.

James Troisi, Tom Rogic, Brad Smith and Matthew Leckie will play behind Kruse, as Massimo Luongo and Jackson Irvine are deployed as holding midfielders, anchoring the midfield.

Mark Milligan will captain the side, alongside Trent Sainsbury and Matthew Spiranovic in a back three, in more of a 3-2-4-1 or 5-4-1 formation, with Smith and Leckie getting back in cover.

The omission of Aaron Mooy is most surprising, given his incredible start to life in the English Premier League with Huddersfield Town.

Mooy wasn’t seen as being under an injury cloud and trained during the week. But reports emerged suggesting he has been struck down by an illness, just hours before the match.

If the Socceroos’ defeat Japan tonight, a place at Russia 2018 is confirmed — they can’t fall outside the top two spots in the group that comes with direct qualification.

A draw is not disastrous for Australia.

The Socceroos’ meet Thailand, who sit last in the group, in the final group match, and a win there will guarantee qualification, as long as we take at least a point home in Saitama.

That result would leave Japan on 18 points, the Socceroos on 17 and Saudi Arabia, who did us a huge favour by losing to the UAE on Tuesday, on 16 points, going into the last qualifier.

Japan play Saudi Arabia in its final group match, which also helps the Socceroos’ cause.

Third-place in the group will be forced to play off with third in the other Asian World Cup qualification group. The winner of that two-legged playoff will then meet fourth in CONCACAF (North and Central America) for the final spot at Russia 2018.

But a positive result tonight can remove any such concerns of taking that approach.

7.30pm

‘Play like Samurai’

Besieged Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic has called for his side to play like “11 samurai” in Thursday’s must-win World Cup qualifier against the Socceroos.

Japan can book a spot in Russia next year with victory over Australia — but if they don’t, Halilhodzic will reportedly be axed from his position.

An animated Halilhodzic urged the sold-out crowd at Saitama Stadium to find their voice and even called for greater support from the Japanese media as he left Wednesday’s official media conference after admitting “we do have a lot of problems as a team”.

“What is necessary is 11 samurai — the warriors,” the Bosnian said. “That is how we are going to get the victory in our hands.

“On the road to Russia, no one will give it to you for free. We have to seek for it. We have to be brave and play with decisiveness.

“If we are successful ... thinking of all the challenges we have, the sense of achievement will be even higher.

“For that purpose, we need the supporters cheering us.” Halilhodzic said he had conducted in-depth analysis of the Socceroos’ 23-man squad for the past two months.

“I know the Australian team as if it was my own team,” he said. “When I saw the list of 23 (players), I could see two possibilities about how they’re going to come into the match — to have more in the midfield or be more aggressive.” A new-look Samurai Blue outfit is anticipated with several of their key players in recent years no longer at the heights they once had been. Keisuke Honda plays in Mexico while Shinji Kagawa has been coming off the bench for Borussia Dortmund.

Both could be overlooked on Thursday for starting berths, while Italian-based defender Yuto Nagamoto is battling injury.

Halilhodzic said there was a silver lining because the Socceroos wouldn’t have too much intelligence on some of the lesser-known players in their ranks. Japan face a difficult trip next week to Jeddah to face Saudi Arabia and will need to avoid defeat — if they are beaten by Australia — to qualify for the World Cup.

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/australia-vs-japan-2018-world-cup-qualifier-in-saitama/news-story/3f998b083206e1659a9a2044fa402971