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.
LINE-UPS
AUSTRALIA
Mathew Ryan
Milos Degenek
Lewis Miller
Martin Boyle
Connor Metcalf
Brandon Borrello
Aiden O’Neil
Aziz Behich
Ryan Teague
Cameron Burgess
Alessandro Circati
JAPAN
Hiroki Sekine
Tsuyoshi Watanabe
Kaishu Sano
Joel Chima Fujita
Yuito Suzuki
Ohashi Yuki
Yu Hirakawa
Daichi Kamada
Koki Machida
Kota Tawaratsumida
Kosei Tani
WA flavour
WA lads Cam Burgess and Alessandro Circati are in the starting XI for the Socceroos tonight while Glory striker Adam Taggart will be on the bench.
Changes galore!
The Socceroos have made three changes from the side who beat China in March, with hometown hero Alessandro Circati to play alongside fellow Perth product Cameron Burgess in defence. The injured Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay have been replaced by Aiden O’Neill and Connor Metcalfe.
Japan have made a series of sweeping changes, with 10 different players from their last match. They brought an inexperienced squad to Perth and have left the stars they did bring - Liverpool’s Wataru Endo, Parma’s Zion Suzuki and Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo - on the bench.
Inside look
The dressing room is looking mint ahead of the game.
What would your last message be to the team.
Final prep
The Australian’s are going through their final warm-ups out on the ground.
The vibe looks loose and relaxed as they knock a few balls around and get acquainted with the growing crowd.
The Japanese goal stoppers are also going through warm-ups.
Welcome
Optus Stadium is set for a sell out as the Socceroos put their World Cup dreams on the line against Asian powerhouses Japan!
Win, and their place at the next World Cup is all but assured.
Lose, and the calculators come out with plenty of risk attached.
And it is all set to play out in Perth!
Sit back and enjoy every twist and turn as it happens with our live blog.
