RECAP: Socceroos’ World Cup hopes on the line in Perth against Japan
The Socceroos faced their biggest-ever match in Perth and earned a victory over Japan to all but send them to the next FIFA World Cup in North America.
The Aussies come into this one off back-to-back wins, knowing victory puts them on the brink of qualification for soccer’s showcase event.
Japan made a whopping 10 changes to their line-up in a huge boost to the home sides’ aspirations.
Recap the action from Optus Stadium in our blog.
Holding on
The home side are just hanging on at the moment.
They can’t break down the press and have turned to long balls forward to see if they can use pace to get in behind.
Japan have also activated star Takefusa Kubo off the bench to see if he can trouble Ryan.
AUS 0 - JAP 0 62’
Nearly a gift!
Tani has fluffled a pass out as the keeper for Japan and it went straight to Borrello.
The Aussie got it under control, cut inside the box but had his shot blocked.
The ball rebounded to a teammate but the shot was blown way wide and high.
The crowd were on their feet, tasting a World Cup.
AUS 0 - JAP 0 49’
Subs
Riley McGree and Patrick Yazbek are on for Australia.
Ryan Teague and Martin Boyle are off after a tough first half.
HALFTIME: Australia 0, Japan 0
No team were real eager to break the game open in that half.
Japan were content to hold the ball and wait for the Socceroos to come at them, leaving space in behind.
The Australian’s move to play out of the back rarely produced anything good and saw them play their way into trouble.
Japan had 71 per cent of the possession but Mat Ryan was never worried in goal.
It also ended up with seven shots to Japan and just one to Australian, however, more than half of the visitor’s efforts were from outside the box.
Corner
Australia earn their first corner after a set piece free kick deflected out of play.
The ball was whipped centrally but glanced off Metcalfe’s head and out of play to return the ball to the visitors.
It’s the first pressure the Socceroos have been able to put on the game.
AUS 0 - JAP 0 34’
Slow start
The Socceroos are showing no energy to start this game.
Their few attacks have lacked cohesion and have been one man trying to do it all.
Japan have had all of the possession but their final passes have been well off the mark.
All in all, not much to get excited about.
AUS 0 - JAP 0 25’
Job to do
The Australians are up against it tonight.
Japan have not been beaten in their last 12 matches and lead the qualification group.
And so far, the hosts have not made a dent in the offensive half.
AUS 0 - JAP 0 16’
Probing
It’s been all Japan through seven minutes.
The visitor’s are probing the wide areas on both sides with the Socceroos playing fairly tight in the middle.
One cross nearly provided an opportunity at a header but an Aussie body stifled the attacker’s jump.
Two other crosses have missed the mark entirely.
However, the Australians are hemmed in their defensive half so far.
AUS 0 - JAP 0 7’
Japan support
There are plenty of Japanese fans in the Stadium tonight.
They have chanted through the opening two minutes after giving a roar after the national anthem.
Underway!
Australia get proceedings underway but Japan quickly take the ball and settle into their work at the back.
AUS 0 - JAP 0 1’
