Final thoughts
Looking back, that first goal was the killer. Japan seemed to have run out of ideas after their initial surge and nerves were starting to creep in with half-time approaching - there was even some booing when Halilhodzic’s face appeared on the big screen. Then Smith failed to track his man and Japan were suddenly in the lead. You could almost see the pressure evaporating from the Samurai Blue. After that, the talent they clearly have came to the fore and the Socceroos were never really in it.
The silver lining for the Socceroos is if that’s how Japan play when the pressure is off, they should be more than capable of getting a result against Saudi Arabia and doing Ange Postecoglou a favour. I suspect they might have to, because Australia haven’t really shown the sort of firepower they’re going to need against Thailand if it comes down to goal difference.
Anyway, that’s enough doom and gloom. Congratulations to Japan - they fully deserve to be at the big show yet again. Now roll on Thailand. Thanks again for joining me, catch you next time.
And tonight’s match report is here.
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Full-time: Japan 2-0 Australia
And that’s it. Japan are worthy winners and head to Russia a few days early (not literally). The Socceroos asked far too little of their opponents and will need a lot more firepower against Thailand - not that they’ve shown much of it throughout the campaign.
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90 mins: All eyes on Melbourne and the Thailand game now - but the Socceroos can’t afford to switch off just yet. Japan still pressing forward.
89 mins: Japan are hungry for another one. Another goal would be a big, big blow for the Socceroos, but the hosts are showing their quality as the clock winds down. The impressive Asano comes off for Kubo.
88 mins: Okazaki comes on for Osako. The crowd are loving this now, all trace of nerves have disappeared - just when the Socceroos should have been turning the screw.
85 mins: Mentions of goal difference now as we edge towards the final whistle. The Socceroos can’t afford to concede another one or they’ll leave themselves on the edge for the Thailand game. Irvine comes off for Amini.
GOAL! Japan 2-0 Australia
83mins: That’s all she wrote. A cracker of a shot from Ideguchi that curls into the top right corner. Ryan had no chance. Considering the Socceroos have barely had a look at goal in the second half, I can’t see them scoring twice in the next few minutes.
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82 mins: Osako smashes a shot well over as Australia defend desperately. Shouldn’t this be happening at the other end? Japan still the side more likely to score, despite their wastefulness.
79 mins: Good defending from Milligan, the Socceroos would have been in all sorts of trouble but he slides in to stop the danger on the right wing before it can build. Amazingly, the Japan bench are incensed at that and spill onto the pitch... or is it just a ruse to chew up time. Call me Mr Cynic.
77 mins: Sainsbury with a great block on the line from a curling shot. That would have been game over. He didn’t know much about it, but he put himself in the right place at the right time and the rebound bounces into Ryan’s grateful hands. The Socceroos are still in this. Just.
75 mins: Well it’s taken long enough but the Socceroos are finally starting to ask a few questions of the Japanese defence. A free-kick gives the hosts some respite. Haraguchi comes on for Inui.
73 mins: Ooo, a little bit of hope there for Australia. Juric can’t quite latch on to Kruse’s cross into the six-yard box, and Cahill is a little over-zealous trying to fire home from the resulting scramble. Free-kick for Japan, but that might shake the hosts up a little.
70 mins: Rogic wins a corner.... and on comes Cahill. In place of Rogic no less. It’s all set up for the Aussie talisman - but it’s a poor cross and easily cleared. Oh well.
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68 mins: Well despite the substitution nothing much has changed on the pitch. It’s still Japan who have the game under control, the Socceroos have barely bothered Kawashima in the hosts’ goal this half.
65 mins: Leckie, Leckie, Leckie *shakes head*. What was that? The Socceroos go on the attack, Leckie picks it up about 30 yards out, takes a look at goal... then bangs it well wide. Even on target it wouldn’t have troubled the keeper.
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63 mins: Nagatomo with a cheeky lob from distance - it was never going to beat Ryan though, who was already on his line when the shot came in. He plucks it from the air. It signifies the change in attitude from Japan though, their confidence is up and they’ve barely been troubled at the other end.
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61 mins: Indeed, here comes Juric. He’s on for Troisi.
61 mins: Looks like Juric is warming up - didn’t think we’d see him because of those fitness concerns. Ange must think it’s worth a punt. Japan still asking all the questions. Desperate times, desperate measures.
59 mins: Good work from Irvine to find space on the left... but when he looks up to make the cross, there’s no one in the danger area. He dinks it in anyway but by the time it finds a gold and green shirt the opportunity is lost.
58 mins: Good challenge from Sainsbury in a one-on-one - that looked very dangerous, but he stood up well and only committed to the challenge when he was sure of getting the ball. Textbook defending. The Socceroos are being stretched though. If they go two down, I can’t see them getting back into it.
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56 mins: Ooo, that was more dangerous - Sakai flying in to connect with the cross but failing to keep his header down. Good defending to put him off.
55 mins: Corner again. Law of averages suggests one of these will cause trouble.
53 mins: Good goalkeeping from Ryan to stop Asano, making a sliding tackle to win the ball then scooping it up before it runs outside the box. Japan on the attack though. Another corner ... but it comes to nothing.
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50 mins: Bit better from the Socceroos, playing the ball around the edge of the Japanese box and causing a few tense moments. The final ball is poor though and goes out for a goal-kick. Japan have definitely gone down a gear... not sure if that bodes well or not, they look more confident, not as rushed.
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48 mins: It’ll be interesting to see if Japan change tack too. They already look more composed on the ball... possibly because the Socceroos keep giving it to them. Dear oh dear.
Second half
46 mins: Aaaaand we’re off again. So what will Ange do to get the Socceroos back into this? That goal hasn’t just put Japan ahead, it’s calmed their nerves too. There are options of course... I’m thinking the fearsome forehead of Tim Cahill might get the nod soon. Pun intended.
Half-time: Japan 1-0 Australia
Just when it looked like the Socceroos had weathered the storm, a mistake by Smith gives Asano a gift - and he makes no mistake with a close-range volley. Bit of a downer for the Socceroos as we head into the break. Catch you in 15.
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42 mins: Japan have got their tails up as we approach the break - and the fans have turned it up to 11. Pressure on the Socceroos as Osako side-foots it just wide of the post. The visitors need to hold on until half-time without conceding another.
GOAL! Japan 1-0 Australia
40 mins: Asano with the opener - he was in acres of space in the box. Shocking defending from Smith and Asano makes no mistake, shooting home past Ryan from close range.
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39 mins: Yet another corner for Japan. Can they create something for once? No, it fails to beat the first man... but the resulting scramble raises a few heartbeats before it’s eventually cleared. Japan finishing with a flourish.
37 mins: The Socceroos take a breath to pass it around the back four. They wouldn’t have been able to do that earlier, the Japanese would have been pressing them - not sure if they’ve stepped off deliberately or whether they’re just conserving energy. Either way it’s working in the Socceroos’ favour... and, oof, a deflection from a Leckie shot hits the outside of the post. As close as anyone’s come.
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35 mins: Asano with a header at the back post, but he can’t get over it and it flies high and wide off the top of his head. A couple of half-chances but still nothing to trouble Ryan too much.
33 mins: Australia seeing a little more of the Japanese box as the half goes on... still nothing clear cut though. Sakai runs up the other end, connects with a pull-back - then skews it well wide. Sums up their half really.
30 mins: Another through-ball cut out by Spiranovic (I think it was him anyway) - that would have been very dangerous had it gone through. For all the huff and puff there’s been very little goalmouth action, certainly no chances that should have been put away.
27 mins: Rogic threatens the Japan box but is immediately swarmed by about three players and can’t get the ball out from under his feet in time. Great defensive work even if it does have a whiff of panic about it. Still not a bad spell from the Socceroos - finally getting their foot on the ball for an extended period. Not that the Japan fans seem to have noticed - they’re cheering louder than ever.
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24 mins: Well it’s hardly been convincing from the Socceroos but they haven’t been hurt where it counts either... possibly because Japan are trying a little too hard when the ball reaches the final third. If they can sort that out the visitors will be in trouble. As the clock ticks on though, it’ll be the hosts who get more nervous.
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22 mins: A lovely move down the right from Sakai, who did well to win the ball in the first place after pouncing on a Rogic mistake, but another poor final ball lets Japan down just when they had the Socceroos back-tracking.
19 mins: Little spell of possession for the Socceroos... one of very few. Japan look nervous when the ball gets around their box, but they’ve harried and hassled enough to keep any potential danger at bay so far.
17 mins: More corner action from Japan. It’s taken short and eventually curled to the back post where it’s headed into the side-netting by Asano. Ryan had it covered anyway. I’ve never been a fan of short corners, but considering how dominant Australia are in the air I can see why the hosts might want to try something different. They’ve had a flurry of corners already but none of them have caused too much anguish.
14 mins: A bizarre corner for Japan - bizarre in as much as it went straight out from a shot at goal and never came close to a Socceroo. Ryan punches it away, not exactly cleanly, but it does the job. If they’d scored from that there would have been a few questions.
12 mins: Kawashima is called into action from a cross into the box - he’s impeded by Troisi though and the FK is given. He didn’t look too confident dealing with that ball, although having a flailing arm in your face never helps.
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10 mins: Little bit better from the Socceroos, in as much as they seem to have calmed the game down slightly. They’re struggling to make inroads into the Japan half though - and Japan are straight back on the attack whenever the visitors lose possession. The Socceroos are still defending well ... although some of the final balls into the box have been wasteful at best from Japan. A bit more composure and they might have had more success.
7 mins: Japan are pressing very high up the pitch, every time the Socceroos get the ball in midfield they’re being harassed by two or three players. First corner for the Socceroos. Troisi swings it in, but it ends with Rogic firing a tame shot goalwards.
5 mins: A good solid early tackle from Spiranovic stops another attack in its tracks. Japan have come out flying, although they haven’t created anything too troubling for the Socceroos. Solid defensive work so far.
3 mins: And they were close to opening the scoring from that second corner... but Sakai steers his header wide. Early statement from the hosts.
Kick-off
1 min: Peeep! And we’re off. As usual, the Japanese fans are in fine voice. They’ve had a habit of getting the first goal in this qualifying campaign. Be a good time to stop that for the Socceroos... although they’ve conceded two early corners.
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So the captain, Hasebe, returns for Japan but there are a fair few little-known names in there and a lot of experience on the bench - funnily enough, I was reading an opinion piece earlier about how they might do that. Kick-off coming up...
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Well that puts it all into perspective. It seems oddly sombre now as the anthems are belted out.
Awful news coming through about one of the most prominent football journos in the Australian game. Mike Cockerill will be hugely missed. Thoughts go out to the family.
Team news
Japan: Kawashima, Shoji, Ideguchi, Nagatomo, Inui, Yamaguchi, Hasebe, Asano, Osako, Sakai, Yoshidi
Australia: Ryan, Sainsbury, Spiranovic, Milligan, Smith, Leckie, Luongo, Rogic Kruse, Irvine, Trosi
As I mentioned earlier, the big news is Mooy is missing from the Socceroos squad (he’s not even on the bench). Apparently he came down with a virus last night. Slightly less surprising, but still a blow, is that Juric is absent - although he was always struggling to get back to fitness in time. I thought Degenek might get the nod but he’s been benched too.
Just to get you up to speed, here are the highlights from the UAE’s 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in Al Ain. A corking strike by Ahmed Khalil for the winner, but it’s worth a watch just to see the first touch by Mabkhout for the UAE’s opener. Being the cynic that I am, I initially questioned whether it was intentional or not – but what else was he trying to do if not that? Phenomenal stuff. If it had been Messi, it would have been replayed on the sports channels all week.
“Generally an optimist with regard the Socceroos, so plumping for the win. Well remember the Uruguay and Asian Cup successes. As a general aside, I am a Fremantle Dockers and Partick Thistle fan (0 titles over a combined 163 years), so I need cheering up from time to time. C’mon the Socceroos!”
Martin Turnbull, email
Eesh, that Dockers-Thistle combo is a killer - but as a Grimsby Town-Central Coast fan (it’s a Mariners thing), you’ll get limited sympathy from me.
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Mooy out
While tensions within the Japanese ranks maybe high, there’s a cautious optimism about the Socceroos camp, a result of the Saudi Arabia defeat and their excellent display against Chile last time out. Indeed their biggest dilemma seems to have stemmed from that Confederations Cup game, namely how to get the best out of star men Mooy and Rogic, both of whom sat that one out ... but even that decision has been taken out of Postecoglou’s hands with the news that Mooy has been ruled out tonight due to illness. Now that’s a blow, he’s made a flying start to life in the Premier League. Hopefully we’ll get more news on that later on. It’ll also be interesting to see how/if Postecoglou uses Tim Cahill too. At 37, he’s by no means the same player he once was, but the Japanese have been burned so often by the Socceroos talisman that the fear factor could prove an ace up Ange’s sleeve.
Under pressure
If this was a high-class TV show rather than a blog by some bleary-eyed chancer, the strains of the Queen ft. David Bowie song would be playing right now over a montage of Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic berating his players from the sidelines and occasionally looking heavenward in frustration. So please imagine that famous bassline as you read this bit, or put it on YouTube in the background, because if you thought Ange Postecoglou had his fair share of his critics, then spare a thought for Halilhodzic. He’s already been given the dreaded vote of confidence by the footballing powers that be in Japan, there are rumours of unrest among the players, and if the Japanese press are to be believed, he could well get the chop if they lose tonight. Even the unassuming Milos “Mind Games” Degenek has ramped up the pressure, claiming some players in the Japan league are hoping the hosts lose tonight because they’re so disenchanted with Halilhodzic. In short, it may be a nervy night for the Socceroos, but it’s much worse for the hosts – who also have to face Saudi Arabia in Jeddah after this one.
Preamble
Evening everyone, thanks for joining me for tonight’s crunch qualifying clash. Are you sitting comfortably? Well make the most if it because I suspect we’re in for two hours of bum-fidgeting, cushion-hugging nervous football action at Saitama Stadium, where the winner walks off with a plane ticket to Russia and the loser faces a desperate dash through customs to catch the final flight. Unless you take Mark Bosnich’s view of course, in which case tonight’s game is essentially a dead rubber.
Saudi Arabia’s surprise loss to the UAE earlier this week is the reason behind Bozza’s optimism. I’ll post a more long-winded explanation later on if I get time but, in a nutshell, a win tonight and the Socceroos are through. A draw and they’re “probably” through. A loss and don’t bother trimming your fingernails because there’s a good chance you’ll have chewed them off by the end of the match against Thailand, when shock-and-awe tactics will be the order of the day as the Socceroos try to boost their goal difference in case Saudi Arabia beat Japan in the other game. But like a postal vote on marriage equality, it really shouldn’t get to that stage. Let’s hope they do the job tonight.
And global citizens that we are here at Guardian Towers, you can also follow the match in Japanese here.
Richard will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s the inimitable David Squires on tonight’s huge match, featuring David Gallop as Godzilla:
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