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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jo Khan

Australia 1-0 Japan: Socceroos on brink of World Cup 2026 qualification – as it happened

Australia Socceroos Japan World Cup World Cup 2026 Joey Lynch Perth Group C North America
Aziz Behich of the Socceroos celebrates scoring a late goal against Japan to all but secure World Cup qualification for Australia.
Aziz Behich of the Socceroos celebrates scoring a late goal against Japan to all but secure World Cup qualification for Australia. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

What a night. Thanks for joining me, Jo Khan, tonight on the live blog. Joey Lynch’s match report is in from Perth:

It’s the smash-and-grab to end all smash-and-grabs and one that means everything to Australia.

It’s really special to see Circati talking about what this means to him and his teammates. Seeing that raw emotion is so important.

Ale Circati is getting emotional as he talks of coming back from his ACL injury and now to be playing in this qualifier in his home town.

I mean that’s why I’m like this today because I know it’s been probably seven very hard months, when vu an injury like this. It’s a bit of an unknown. You don’t know how you return back. Some people feel amazing. Luckily I do. I feel better than before. Some people come back, you know, not the same. As I said, I’m just so happy.

McGree is speaking to Channel 10 now. Fair to say the significance of the result is still sinking in.

I get goose bumps and it was 20 minutes ago. Unbelievable to get a win against Japan. That was the first time, correct me if I am wrong, that we have won against them in a long time. I couldn’t be more proud about the group.

Uh that turn on the edge of the box by Riley McGree. Delicious. We can watch it again. And he recovers so well from the heavy touch.

Hang around for Joey Lynch’s match report. Here’s a teaser

The Socceroos really just hung on all night. It was clear in the first half that Japan were struggling to convert their chances, and the takeaway for Australia at that point was that they didn’t concede a goal. Repeat that for another 45, add in one opportunity to score and you’ve got a victory that never looked like it was going to happen.

Here is that winning goal. A thing of beauty, especially in contrast to the rest of Australia’s play!

Goal-scorer and player of the match Behich is still a bit stunned from his contribution to Australian football history:

It hasn’t quite sunk in just yet, but when that final whistle went, it is a great feeling. Look, it was a tough game. We knew we had to grind it out. The boss said at half-time, “No matter how tough it gets, we will get our opportunity if we get to it.” Fortunately enough it fell to me and my right foot … and managed to see the back of the net again.

He said it’s been the best week of his life.

I will enjoy this one. Like I said, it has been a long campaign and we have worked so hard over this campaign. We’ve had a change of coach, never easy. The group we have in this changeroom and the boys that come in every camp, the mentality is second to none. I think we more than deserve of going to a World Cup again.

Full-time: Australia 1-0 Japan

That’s it. Aziz Behich has done it.*

*Pending unexpected drama from Saudi Arabia.

90 + 8 mins: The Socceroos are clearly rejuvenated by Behich’s goal, the aggression has gone through the roof, finally. Surely it’s time for the whistle now. Perth Stadium is TENSE.

90 + 4 mins: There may be a couple more minutes added now beyond the initial three minutes. That play from Geria, McGree and Behich was just so at odds with the rest of the match. It was brilliant. All they needed was one moment and that, I think, was it.

90 + 2 mins: There’s been a nasty head clash between Geria and Kumisaka so play has been stopped. Did Behich just secure Australia’s spot in the 2026 World Cup???????????

GOAL! Australia 1-0 Japan (Behich 90')

A classy, classy goal from the Socceroos in the final minutes of the game. A lovely pass from the left into McGree in the area who turns beautiful on the defender and cuts back to Behich, curling it just inside the far post.

88 mins: Japan have a free kick which sails past everyone and out for a goal kick. They have maybe taken the foot off the gas, remembering they have already qualified.

84 mins: McGree muscles Kubo off the ball on the touchline, something we haven’t really seen from Australia so far. Japan aren’t quite as collected as they were in the first half, and Australia aren’t as static, not that it is amounting to anything for either side.

82 mins: Circati shows some nice skill right on the sideline but he is closed down so fast and can’t find any help. Suzuki sends a shot over the crossbar.

80 mins: Japan’s short corner amounts to naught and Australia make their final change. Daniel Arzani is coming on for Metcalfe. Can Arzani work some of his magic in the final 10 or so minutes?

Chance for Japan! Kubo steps out past the Australian defence and unleashes a shot from the edge of the penalty area which just skims the post as it goes wide.

Updated

78 mins: Another foul on Duke just as he has a chance to jump on a through ball. The free kick is lofted high into the box and Australia’s height advantage is evident but the final header pops up too high and Tani is able to collect it easily.

76 mins: Duke is fouled at halfway by Joel Fujita. Australia use the free kick to hold possession. Briefly. Japan are just closing them down so fast.

74 mins: Brilliant dribbling from Japan on the left and the cross finds Hirakawa at the far post but the ball is deflected out by a defender. Japan’s corner bounces out to the top of the area and the shot sent back in meets a solid wall of Socceroos.

72 mins: Another weak clearance from Tani offers a glimmer of hope for Australia. Japan regain composure quickly with the throw in.

70 mins: Another substitution for Japan. Shuto Machino is on for Watanabe.

68 mins: Mitch Duke and Jason Geria are coming on for Borello and Miller.

66 mins: It’s just one shot on target each now. The Australian defence have done well to limit Japan’s dominance tot that. Substitute Takefusa Kubo cuts back into the box from the touchline but there is no one there to receive it.

Updated

64 mins: Miller darts up the right and is brought down heavily by Hirakawa. The free kick is turned over quickly but ends up in a goal kick for Ryan.

62 mins: Ohashi Yuki has time to get a shot off, sending it wide of the near post. It looks like Japan are going to make two more changes. The Socceroos cannot find the gaps tonight.

60 mins: Lewis Miller launches a long throw into the area and Burgess heads it behind to the goalkeeper Tani.

58 mins: Mitch Duke is warming up on the sidelines. Japan have increased the tempo forcing a quick clearance from Ryan, before they go again through Hirakawa and Suzuki on the right.

56 mins: If you can’t play through … Circati sends a long ball to Borello near the edge of the area but it’s fruitless. Fruitless. Japan instantly push back, Suzuki zipping through the centre so cleanly, they regain control.

54 mins: Australia are getting a bit more time on the ball now but they can’t crack through the Japanese midfield.

52 mins: Japan are pressing again and again but the Socceroos look like they’ve lifted the energy, they’re not giving Japan as much space and time as they were in the first half.

50 mins: Chance! Japan’s goalkeeper makes a mistake clearing the ball and Australia pounce. In the end the rebound is send over the crossbar. Japan respond aggressively, launching attack after attack. A little fright there perhaps.

47 mins: Australia show some promise in the early minutes, maintaining possession under considerable pressure from Japan.

45 mins: Popovic is making two changes straight up. Riley McGree and Patrick Yazbek are coming on. Martin Boyle and Ryan Teague are heading off.

Japan is making one change: Ayumu Seko is coming on for Machida

Shoot me an email if you want to share your thoughts. Jo.khan@theguardian.com

An email has come through from Rob:

Japan have been in charge since Game Day #1... Oz would’ve realized this straight away. They’re under no pressure to win it, but, if they do it’s about bragging rights and Australia certainly haven’t had any change out of them for a decade or more? A win would be massive for sure, but a draw leaves things in the balance, they can’t accept a defeat on homesoil with no guarantees elsewhere/favours …

The broadcast has just informed me that Wrexham are coming to Australia. This is probably old news but I have just come back from maternity leave hibernation so it’s new news to me! I wonder what sort of crowds they will pull? It’s not like Ryan Reynolds will visit too.

Just one shot on target for Japan, to Australia’s 0.

Half-time: Australia 0-0 Japan

The Socceroos are lucky to have not conceded that half. If they keep that up for the next half, then the next two after that, they should qualify! Japan’s poor finishing is really the only indication that this isn’t their best players.

45 + 1 mins: A chance for Australia in the dying seconds of the half but reflective of the Socceroos’ vibe for the half Metcalfe rushes a volley wide.

Updated

44 mins: Kamada has a chance that goes just past the near post. The resulting corner rebounds out to Hirakawa who again shoots low and hard this time on target but straight to Ryan. It goes out, it comes back in. Japan have another corner.

Updated

42 mins: The Socceroos need to take a leaf out of Japan’s book (yes different circumstances I know) and take. a. breath. Ryan sends a free kick straight out of bounds. Oh dear.

Good tackle by Degenek to stop a quick break on the left.

Updated

40 mins: Australia string together some neat passing in their attacking third. Then turn it over. The bar is low.

38 mins: Chance for Japan as Hirakawa hits it low and hard from outside the area, the shot goes just wide of the far post and Ryan looked to have it covered anyway.

36 mins: Japan corner taken by Suzuki, goes short, then comes in to cross it towards the far post but it goes out off Machida.

34 mins: Ryan Teague takes the corner, sending it in to a crowded six-yard box. Connor Metcalfe makes contact but his header goes wide of the far post.

Aiden O’Neill makes a promising run into the penalty area but gets slightly tangled with the defender and it trickles over the line for a goal kick.

Updated

32 mins: Australia get a free kick from a late tackle on Behich. Boyle lines up to take it a few metres into their attacking half. It’s headed away by Japan and the socceroos have their first corner.

Updated

30 mins: Australia have a free kick and play it back to Degenek who miss-kicks and sends the ball trickling back to Ryan on the touchline. He manages to hastily clear it. A nerve-racking moment.

28 mins: Australia do seem to be standing around a bit stunned while Japan leisurely pass it around the back four. Kosei Tani has his first touch.

Suzuku runs the through the midfield unchallenged and shoots just wide of the far post, a bit of a wasted opportunity he had time and support there.

Updated

26 mins: Japan have had 76% of the ball so far. Without the pressure of qualifying on them they appear to be happy to take their time, work it around, probe when they can but no biggie if it doesn’t pay off.

24 mins: Two Japan corners in two minutes. The second is taken by Suzuki which hits the penalty spot but comes back out of the area. The Socceroos defence appears a bit wobbly.

22 mins: Japan may be in control but so far their passes have been too heavy in the final third, crosses not connecting. That could be Australia’s opportunity if they can get on the scoresheet.

20 mins: Boyle has a bit of space upfront but he pauses to look for support and the momentum is lost. Everything Australia does is rushed and heavy, while Japan is the opposite.

18 mins: Japan attacked up the right via Hirakawa whose cross is cleared. Japan use the throw-in to reset from the back.

16 mins: Machida launches the ball over the Australian defence to Yuki, the resulting cross is deflected for a goal kick. Boyle is fouled at the halfway line.

14 mins: Kamada sends the ball into the referee’s back and play is stopped as per RULES. Circati gets the drop and Australia keep possession in defence.

12 mins: Australia make their furthest ground yet in the attacking half on the edge of the penalty box. It’s scrappy and they can’t keep it under control.

10 mins: Kamada and Tawaratsumida are connecting well on the left, although a heavy through pass from Kamada rolls over the touchline and very briefly returns possession to Australia before it’s back to Japan resetting from the back again. It’s only been 10 minutes but you wouldn’t necessarily think this was a second-string Japan side. The Socceroos have no answers yet.

8 mins: A dubious Australian clearance results in a shot from Kamada which takes a slight deflection but is cleaned up easily by Ryan.

6 mins: Australia have everyone back for now. Tawaratsumida makes another run down the left ending in a weak kick to nowhere in the area. Ryan’s probably had the most touches of the Socceroos so far.

4 mins: Samurai Blue totally in control so far, working it around the back four, darting forward on the right and then calmly bringing it back when they can’t get through. One foray into the box is kicked away by Ryan relatively easily.

2 mins: Japan look cool and calm. A long ball from their backline is met by Mat Ryan just outside the area. It’s the Socceroos captain’s 99th cap tonight.

Kick-off

Peeeeeeeeeep! Here we go.

I said it for the Matildas and I’ll say it again for the Socceroos. The new black/fluoro pink/fluoro green jackets are superb.

From now on every Socceroos home game must start with Darude’s Sandstorm on electric guitar.

Unless they lose in which case we know who to blame.

Perth Stadium is filling up with a light show under way. Who is staying up to watch Saudi Arabia’s match? (KO 2am AEST)

In case you missed it, which I’m sure you didn’t, it’s a double-national-team-matches-week for Australia and the Matildas have already dispatched Argentina 4-0 in a friendly on Monday. Striker Amy Sayer scored two goals on her return from an ACL injury, with one more each for Michelle Heyman and Emily van Egmond.

The other news from the Matildas camp was that Joe Montemurro was finally confirmed as the new coach, taking over from interim coach Tom Sermanni.

Behich is speaking pre-game. How has he recovered from the ALM grand final?

A good five days but look, the mentality had to switch straight away. For us boys and the ones coming straight from the grand final. It’s a big game. These ones you want to be a part of with the national team and obviously with the sellout as well. It’s been an exciting few days of training and the boys are raring to go.

On what style we can expect from the Socceroos:

Nothing is going to change. When you look at our past games under the boss, obviously we’ve got better every single game and we don’t have much time when we come into games but the steps we have taken is unreal by the group. Look, we’re going to take the game to them. We’re on home soil and something we’re always excited about. It will be a cracking game.

Warm-ups

Official word is that it’s a sellout in Perth. That should be about 60,000.

The Socceroos did arrive on time to the stadium this time around … unlike last time they faced Japan.

Popovic is speaking to the broadcaster. Asked whether it’s a good time to play Japan:

I think it’s a good time for us to play anyone at the moment. We feel we’ve evolved. We’re improving. Tonight, regardless of the opponent, it’s the big stage. We need a big performance against Japan and let’s see if we can pull it off.

Japan XI

Aziz Behich joins the squad – and in the starting lineup – fresh(ish) from his A-League Men championship win with Melbourne City. I can’t say it was a pretty demonstration of football, that is for sure.

Australia XI

Something to give sustenance while we’re missing Jackson Irvine, thanks to Dave Squires.

Another player not featuring for the Socceroos is Nectarios Triantis. The Sunderland midfielder withdrew from the squad at the last minute as he weighs up whether to change his allegiance and turn out for Greece.

The midfielder impressed out on loan at Hibernian last season and is attracting attention from across Europe and the MLS, German side Fortuna Düsseldorf are very keen on the 22-year-old.

Tony Popovic said he’s “not too sure where it exactly sits”.

We had him in the squad for the camp, and on the day that he was supposed to travel he informed us that he’s not coming in.

He just said he’s got a lot of things on at the moment, a lot on his mind in terms of what he wants to do. We have to respect that, and we’ll see what happens.

Craig Goodwin, Nishan Velupillay, Mathew Leckie, Jackson Irvine and Kusini Yengi were all left out of the squad due to injury and fitness concerns. In their place are some long-awaited returning players and a couple of fresh faces.

As John Duerden writes, Samurai Blue have earned the right to bring a squad containing just seven players with more than 10 caps to Australia for this match. They have dominated the group, booked their World Cup tickets and now have some freedom to experiment. It certainly seems to work in the Socceroos’ favour that many of Japan’s stars have been given the OK to head off on holiday.

The Socceroos have not beaten Japan for 16 years. Coach Tony Popovic insists that can change tonight.

Every game is significant for the Socceroos. But, obviously, these last two games, for automatic qualification, we know what we need to do; we need to put that into action, and we’re confident we can do that.

My colleague Joey Lynch is on the ground at Optus Stadium to bring you the match report later.

On to those pesky permutations. Here is where things stand:

The general gist is the Socceroos can all but secure their place with a win tonight; a draw or loss make things a bit more complicated. Jack Snape has broken everything down in more detail here:

Even if they win tonight, we won’t know whether Australia have qualified automatically for absolute 100% fully certain sureness until after the Saudi Arabia v Bahrain match kicking off at Friday 2am AEST.

Preamble

G’day and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the World Cup 2026 qualifier between Australia and Japan in Perth. My name is Jo Khan and I’m here to take you through the pre-game news, live football and some post-match analysis.

At the moment my brain hurts from thinking about the Group C permutations and what it means for Australia but one thing is locked in – the Samurai Blue have already booked their spot at the North America tournament. However, it is most definitely a crunch match for Australia, can they lock in an automatic qualification?

Looking back to the Socceroos most recent outing in this Asian qualifying campaign, it was goals from Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay that gave Australia a crucial 2-0 win in China in late March. This solidified their spot just below Japan in the Group C table – I’ll get to those details shortly.

To the task at hand now, if you have any comments or questions feel free to send me an email.

Kick-off is in just over an hour: 7.10pm local / 9.10pm AEST / 8.10pm JST

Let’s get into it!

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