Ange slams sluggish Socceroos after draw with Japan

Australia overcame possibly their worst 45 minutes of the World Cup qualifiers to draw 1-1 with arch-rivals Japan.

Australia’s captain Mile Jedinak slots home a penalty goal against Japan at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Tim Carrafa.

Australia overcame possibly the worst 45 minutes of their World Cup qualifying campaign so far to draw with archrivals Japan at Etihad Stadium last night.

Some might consider the result two points lost rather than a point gained, but the Socceroos can be thankful for that important point after an uncharacteristic first-half display.

Luckily they managed to turn things around in the second half, with Captain Cool Mile Jedinak’s 51st-minute penalty rescuing the night for the home side.

Coach Ange Postecoglou, who always stresses the importance of playing stylish of football, was far from impressed with the showing.

“We were stagnant and there wasn’t a lot of movement in the first half,” he said. “We were sluggish and needed a reaction in the second half.

“I am disappointed with our last two results. You are always looking to win and I know we can do better.”

Japan were far the better side in the first half and stunned the Socceroos after just five minutes when Genki Haraguchi scored after the home side lost possession on halfway.

The Germany-based attacking midfielder was a class above in the first half, tormenting the Socceroos’ defence with his skill and speed, and was well supported by Italy-based Keisuke Honda.

Australia lacked any penetration in the first half and just couldn't find a way through the stacked Japanese midfield.

But it was a complete turnaround in the second half with the Socceroos showing what they are capable of, although the draw was probably a fair result.

There is little separating the two countries with last night’s result their third successive draw in World Cup qualifiers. While the result might hurt initially, the Socceroos remain well placed on the road to Russia 2018. They have six games to play, four at home and, significantly, two against minnows Thailand, which should be six points guaranteed.

Jedinak admitted his men were sluggish in the first half and had been caught by a “sucker punch”.

“We made a mistake and got punished,” Jedinak said. “We didn’t play well in the first half and we needed a reaction. We regrouped at halftime. We got that in the second half and maybe we were unlucky not to get another goal. It is a point gained and now we move on to the next match. We just need to rectify one or two areas.”

Needing an early goal in the second half, Australia’s prayers were answered six minutes in when Tomi Juric was bundled over in the box after Brad Smith on the left had cut the ball back for the striker, who beat his marker only to be shoved to the turf. Jedinak made no mistake from the spot, driving the ball down the middle.

The Australians desperately searched for a winner but Japan managed to fast, even causing some problems near the end, and it took a brilliant one-handed save from goalkeeper Maty Ryan late in the match to save any embarrassment.

True to form, Postecoglou made changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Saudi Arabia, coming up with a selection surprise by switching from his preferred 4-3-3 formation to a 4-4-2 line-up with a diamond midfield that allowed him to accommodate Massimo Luongo, Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy in the starting XI.

The big surprise was the inclusion of China-based striker Apo Giannou, who came in for Mathew Leckie. He joined the in-form Juric up front, meaning Tim Cahill was, as expected, left on the bench to be used as a super sub.

Mark Milligan, who has been so consistent for the Socceroos and is usually one of the first picked, was relegated to the bench with Ryan McGowan coming in at rightback.