Final Thoughts
A studious, tactical arm-wrestle ended in a draw tonight at Etihad Stadium. It delivered a point that Australia would have taken at half-time and one that Japan set out to achieve before kick-off.
Japan were excellent in the first half, Australia poor. The Socceroos never got to grips with Japan’s concession of territory and the Blue Samurai perhaps deserved to be more than a goal up after the break. Goalscorer Haraguchi then turned from hero to villain, conceding a needless penalty early in the second half to restore Australia’s belief and shift the momentum. Thereafter, both sides probed but the clearest opportunities fell Japan’s way, though Ryan only had one decent save to make.
Much will be made of Ange Postecoglou’s selections, in particular starting with two central strikers and a diamond midfield. The resulting lack of pace and width hurt Australia’s chances. The Socceroos looked much more balanced and threatening after Robbie Kruse appeared.
Brad Smith stood out all night, marauding down the left hand side and offering the best of the home side’s attacking thrust.
Unbeaten after four matches, and still to face whipping boys Thailand, this remains a strong start to the final World Cup qualifying phase for Australia. Tonight pitted them against a credentialed opponent that came with a defensive agenda and showed Australia a massive amount of respect. Russia 2018 is still very much on the agenda.
Thanks for joining me, it’s been a hoot, as always. See you next time.
Australia 1-1 Japan
The full time whistle blows at Etihad Stadium to muted disinterest.
90+4 min: Corner to Australia - surely the last action of the match.
90+3 min: Nothing much happening here late. A nervous moment at either end with dangerous attacking positions wide that neither side can take advantage of.
90 min: Just three minutes of added time.
Defender Yuichi Maruyama comes on for his debut in place of the goalscorer Genki Haraguchi.
89 min: Set-piece opportunity on the right flank for Australia after Makino’s booked for handball. Luongo with the responsibility in Mooy’s absence and SPIRANOVIC leaps like a salmon but heads firmly over the bar. Decent opportunity.
88 min: Australia have lost the tempo these last ten minutes and Japan have had the better of the goalmouth chances. 1-1 a fair result at this late stage.
Top stuff Melbourne!! 48,460 of you through the gates tonight! #AUSvJPN #GoSocceroos pic.twitter.com/CHw9pVUDkz
— Caltex Socceroos (@Socceroos) October 11, 2016
86 min: Halilhodzic is furious with a tight offside call against Kagawa. And his blood pressure won’t have been helped by a cross fizzing inches in front of the sliding Asano with the goal at his mercy.
84 min: The game’s just taken a bit of a lull in the last few minutes with Japan relishing opportunities to stay down, substitutions, and a few stray passes taking the sting out of the game.
Asano the latest substitution, coming on for Honda.
80 min: Duelling substitutions with Leckie and Kiyotake coming on for Mooy and Kobayashi.
77 min: This game’s just starting to break up a little. Again Smith down the left is the beneficiary but his cut back can’t find a target. Mooy’s gaining in influence, taking possession much higher up the field than previously. Japan retreating to the edge of their own box in bus parking par excellence.
75 min: Big save from Mat Ryan! Cross from the right finds Kobayashi unmarked seven yards out and he heads low to the ‘keeper’s right but the Valencia stopper leaps and palms the ball around the post.
73 min: Good defending from Brad Smith snuffs out a dangerous burst from Honda. The Bournemouth fringe player has been excellent tonight.
71 min: Australia’s attacking midfield trio seeing more of the ball now with Mooy finding space, Luongo energetic and Rogic picking pockets.
Tim Cahill enters the fray with a reception he’s unlikely to receive at this ground on Saturday night.
68 min: A lull in play with a couple of stoppages favouring Japan. Australia were building a head of steam there. From the restart Japan force a corner but can’t force an effort on goal.
65 min: Where Japan were retreating in the first half and springing like jacks in boxes, they’re now sitting on their heels and allowing Australia time to pick a pass. It’s not come together yet with Kruse caught offside and Rogic miscueing a shot, but the pendulum has swung the Socceroos’ way.
62 min: Kruse is playing to the left of the front three, Luongo now to the right, with Juric the lone striker. More space in midfield for Mooy and Rogic. Looks a much more dynamic set-up and much harder for Japan to congest.
For all that, Brad Smith remains the most potent outlet and he forces a corner after neat feet from Rogic. The corner prompts some head tennis resulting in one nut on target but it’s an easy catch. Australia pressing.
60 min: Questions now for Japan. Do they continue to deny Australia, or open up? Is the collective spirit strong enough to resist the Socceroos’ momentum?
57 min: Australia a team transformed. Energy levels raised, space opening up and chances created. Much more promising.
Giannou replaced by Kruse in a move you’d expect will give Australia more width and pace, in keeping with the direction of the match.
54 min: That penalty came about through Brad Smith’s lung busting run down the left flank after Japan had enjoyed a good spell of possession. He crossed low through the penalty area where Juric was running one direction, Haraguchi the other, and the big Socceroo tumbled to the turf under contact giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. A barely deserved lifeline for the home side in Melbourne and gives the second half a different complexion.
Goal! Australia 1-1 Japan (Jedinak 52)
Mile Jedinak keeps a cool head and floats the penalty straight down the middle beyond the diving ‘keeper.
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Penalty Australia!
Juric fouled by Haraguchi...
50 min: References to Kaiserslautern coming thick and fast now. Japan also had a 1-0 half-time lead on that occasion and some bloke named Timothy turned things around for Australia. He’ll be in action soon I’d expect.
Corner to Japan as the visitors enjoy a decent spell of possession and territory. A few near misses for Australia’s defence, Spiranovic’s shin sparing some blushes.
48 min: As you were for the second half with Australia probing from halfway and Japan setting up an impenetrable blue wall on front of them. Let the siege continue.
But Kruse Leckie and Cahill all getting booted up now #AUsvJPN
— Kevin Airs (@KevinAirs442) October 11, 2016
46 min: No changes from either side at half-time.
Cahill, Leckie and Kruse all just came sprinting up the tunnel after instructions from Ange #AUSvJPN
— Michael Zappone (@Michael_Zappone) October 11, 2016
If you’re not familiar with his work, Tim Palmer is excellent.
Common scenario in Australia's build up. Near-side #8 (Mooy) drops goalside of Japan's first pressing line (front 2) to allow full-back high pic.twitter.com/zFu1I29WyJ
— Tim Palmer (@timpalmerftbl) October 11, 2016
So, what does Ange do after the break?
Wade Howland takes a publisher’s approach by email. “Jonathan, Ange’s approach made sense on paper, but Japan have set up too well and are too determined - never mind the early goal. We need Leckie or Kruse on but seems unlikely they’ll both get a run with Cahill and Milligan also on the bench. He has to do something though, the man’s got books to sell.”
Daniel Barnett with a more innovative approach on the Twitter.
@JPHowcroft re Plan B: wonder whether Ange has a Back 3 up his sleeve? Could help shore up the back and give the team more width?
— Daniel Barnett (@danieltbarnett) October 11, 2016
Half-time - Australia 0-1 Japan
Not the half Australia would have wanted. Japan well worth their 1-0 lead, subduing their hosts with a diligent defensive display. Big half-time for Ange Postecoglou.
For the note-keepers out there, Massimo Luongo became the second Australian booked, for a high boot on Haraguchi.
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45 min: Control C, Control V for Australia with another spell of possession with no end product, although the Socceroos were unlucky not to be awarded a corner.
@JPHowcroft reminds of Pim yrs side to side football no penetration defending team resting with shape! Shabby performance so far!#AUSvJPN
— Kaan Kalayci (@kaan_kalayci) October 11, 2016
43 min: It should be added this is a brilliant display by Japan. Defensively they have shown concentration and bite in the tackle, and in possession they’ve been assertive. Considering their qualifying campaign so far, this is unexpected.
See 40 min: update below for Australia’s last three minutes in possession.
40 min: Again Australia look to be improving, but still struggling to get through Japan’s massed ranks. The pattern is repetitive, an Australia midfielder takes possession near halfway with 11 Japanese in front of him, he looks left, right, probes towards the feet of a tall forward but within seconds there’s a tackle, intercept or counterattack.
Ryan McGowan the first yellow card of the night for chopping down Kagawa on one of those counterattacks.
38 min: Australia’s best moments coming when they’re probing down the flanks. The problem is, with no natural wingers in the line-up everything reaches the final third and then looks indecisively inboard. That vital trio of Mooy, Rogic and Luongo haven’t asserted themselves yet.
35 min: Socceroos starting to grow into this game. Luongo trying to go around the outside on the left, eventually earning a corner. Japan have looked solid enough under Mooy’s crosses though and clear.
Thomas Ivers has a response to Michael Lynch (26 min tweet) - “In fairness to Socceroos fans, we don’t really sing when we’re winning or losing.”
32 min: Chance for Australia. Free-kick, 30-yards out, just to the right of the D. Jedinak shoots in what seemed like slow motion, but not as slow as the Japanese ‘keeper who floats to his left to punch the ball away. All very Studio Ghibli for a while there.
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I’m sure we’ll see changes if the scoreline stays this way after half-time. I think Ange will hold his position for now.
@JPHowcroft formation not working at all Ange needs to change it asap No width Rogic MIA Mooy not working as good as he can Change it!!
— Sayings McSayings (@GreenNGoldMatt) October 11, 2016
29 min: To add to Australia’s troubles, Japan are also implementing a successful offside trap. They have so much time to read the through ball they can step up at their leisure to catch Juric and Giannou offside.
Haraguchi shoots from the inside left channel but it’s wide of Ryan’s right-hand post. Haraguchi again breaks down the left, makes his way inside the box, pulls it back for Honda but he shoots straight at Ryan when he should have done better. Let off for Australia. Haraguchi the star of the half so far.
Sing when you are winning you only sing when....come on Australia fans. Make some noise. If it wasnt for Japan fans this cld be a library
— Michael Lynch (@MickLynch_Age) October 11, 2016
26 min: This will take some coaching from Postecoglou. An errant pass from Luongo smacked of a lack of patience, which is understandable considering the opening quarter, but exactly what Japan would want to see. It’s too early for Plan B, but it’s hard to say Plan A has even been executed yet.
23 min: Japan with just 37% possession but they look more threatening with the ball than Australia. One direct pass out of defence followed by a series of neat interchanges is the order of the day and it threatens to break through the Socceroos often. Without the ball it’s all about conceding territory and getting bodies in awkward positions to force Australia’s playmakers into low-percentage options.
20 min: “Why not?” Asks Simon Hill of Mass Luongo walloping one from 40 yards out into orbit.
Ray Reardon - easily my favourite named contributor - asks a curly question. “What do we think about Matt Ryan as a keeper? Good at ball movement but smallish stature does not lend itself to making himself big when one-on-one and when shots are made into far reaches of the net as shown when trying to save penalties. Only played 8 senior games for leaky Valencia in 2015/16 and only 2 senior games for still leaky Valencia this season.”
It would have been little surprise to see Mitch Langerak start tonight, based on Postecoglou’s assertion that his starting XI must be playing regularly at club level.
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17 min: The game is being played at a comparative walking pace for teams of this quality. Japan have set up perfectly, Australia bereft of ideas early on.
Another Mooy free-kick from the right flank again causes trouble in the Japan defence but Juric heads over in a pack eight yards out.
@JPHowcroft oh Christ, here we go... I give it until the 20th minute for the crowd to start chanting 'Tiiiiiiimmmmmmyyyyyyy'...
— Daniel Barnett (@danieltbarnett) October 11, 2016
Which would clearly be more fun with a South Park timbre.
15 min: Crowd’s not yet into this match as Australia struggle to adapt to Japan’s concession of territory. The first hint of width gets a few cheers though with Brad Smith motoring down the left and whipping in a cross that only just evades Juric near the penalty spot.
A second burst of noise follows a Mooy free-kick that causes some unrest in the Japan defence, but it comes to nought.
12 min: Australia trying to feed the feet of the two strikers with their backs to goal but so far they’ve been unable to either hold up play, or lay off possession back to their midfield. Disjointed start for the Socceroos.
10 min: Again, Australia working the ball along their back line but Japan are standing so far off there’s nothing to aim at further forward. This is forcing the Socceroos into low percentage balls leading to turnovers that the visitors then look nimble trying to exploit.
8 min: Not a goal Trent Sainsbury will want to see again on replay. Now, what have Australia got in response?
GOAL! Australia 0-1 Japan (Haraguchi, 6)
Well, that wasn’t on the script. Turnover in midfield for Australia and a gorgeous through ball for Haraguchi splits the home defence and the onrushing number 8 makes no mistake one on one with Ryan.
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5 min: Japan happy to concede ground to Australia when the home side’s in possession, allowing lots of touches across the Socceroo defence.
Wade Howland, like me, wasn’t impressed by the prematch chorus. “Hi Jonathan, I’m hoping from both teams’ efforts singing their anthems they’re saving energy for actually playing. That or they’re already knackered”.
3 min: Australia full of energy in the early stages but the game’s yet to settle down. For note, Mooy is to the right of Rogic, Luongo to the left, in the attacking midfield three.
Peeeeeeeepppppp!
Underway in Melbourne...
It is my job to state the bleeding obvious, so to confirm, Australia are wearing gold shirts, shorts and green socks. Japan are in a very classy all navy blue number.
The match officials are all from Bahrain, and they’re all bedecked in a hot pink.
The haunting Kimigayo echoes around the Docklands, before a few Socceroos tonelessly mumble their way through Advance Australia Fair. Kick-off seconds away.
The two sides are making their way out onto the Etihad Stadium pitch, Australia led by Mile Jedinak’s beard, Japan by Makato Hasebe, wearing - get this - black football boots!
Okay, prediction time. I’m going for 1-0 Australia with a second-half winner from Aaron Mooy.
Some Timmmmmmyyyyyyy love to keep your spirits up if it’s a slow first half. The Socceroos’ all-time leading scorer is on the bench tonight and he’s netted five times against Japan in his career - all in the second half - and three in red time.
What’s in a name?
Both squads warming up on the #RoadToRussia at Etihad. I'm assuming it's Docklands or Melbourne Stadium tonight due to AFC regs. #AUSvJPN pic.twitter.com/m9mIS6DqJD
— Les Street (@official_lesdog) October 11, 2016
It’ll always be Colonial Stadium in my heart.
Any thoughts on the Socceroos formation?
I was worried they set up a bit narrow against Iraq in the opening game, and I fear the same again tonight. A lot will rest on the two big lads up front unsettling Japan’s defence and dragging their centre-halves into the channels. Plenty of responsibility on Brad Smith and Ryan McGowan to get up and down the flanks from fullback.
@rrjparkin Could help pin back Japanese full-backs because if both push forward at same time, it leaves 2v2 at back
— Tim Palmer (@timpalmerftbl) October 11, 2016
Ange Postecoglou has been interviewed pregame, offering a few nuggets of wisdom on his line-up.
Of the three changes to the XI that started against Saudi Arabia, “none were forced” according to the gaffer. He’s gone for a side purely to “get the result,” and that team will be sent out to be “really aggressive tonight,” supporting the inclusion of Giannou alongside Juric up front.
Photograph: Ed Sykes/Reuters
A reminder of how things stand before tonight’s big game.
Standings after tonight's matches. Four teams are still unbeaten, but who will progress to the @FIFAWorldCup? #WCQ2018 #RoadToRussia pic.twitter.com/yDFIkUkMLB
— The-AFC.com (@theafcdotcom) October 6, 2016
Don’t forget you can join in the fun by emailing or tweeting to the addresses above. It really is more fun when you pester me, and I’m sure you’ve all got zingers craving a mass audience.
Japan XI
Shinji Kagawa is the headline inclusion for Japan with the playmaker recalled alongside Yu Kobayashi, Tomoaki Makino and Hotaru Yamaguchi. Hiroshi Kiyotake, Shinji Okazaki, Hiroki Sakai (suspended) and Yosuke Kashiwagi drop out from the side that defeated Iraq at the death.
Today's Japan starting XI against Australia. #AUSvJPN #lineup11 pic.twitter.com/I1lla9NIHV
— yosuke (@maimaidenden) October 11, 2016
It’s an unfamiliar Japan line-up, but one packed with quality nonetheless.
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic said during the week: “Our key players are lacking competition, and it affects our quality. Some players also only arrived two days before the Iraq game, and some were not at the right level. So, our build-up play wasn’t good, but we still had six or seven chances. Like any team, we have ups and downs, but we showed mental strength”.
They will need all that mental strength again tonight with the Blue Samurai in the unusual position of underdogs for an Asian region contest.
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Australia XI
Postecoglou promised changes from Thursday’s energy sapping trip to Saudi Arabia, and he’s made three. Apostolos Giannou, Massimo Luongo and Ryan McGowan come in ahead of Matthew Leckie, Robbie Kruse and Mark Milligan.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is how we line up tonight against Japan. #AUSvJPN #GoSocceroos #WCQ2018 pic.twitter.com/bm40nWRRv6
— Caltex Socceroos (@Socceroos) October 11, 2016
Twin strikers makes for interesting tactical speculation, especially with such a narrow looking midfield diamond.
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Preamble
Evening all, and thank you for joining me for the latest instalment of Australia’s World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign.
Like Donald Trump, we’re down to the final stage of qualifying for Russia. The Asian Confederation has been whittled to 12 teams split evenly into two groups with Australia topping Pool B with seven points from their opening three matches. It’s been a strong opening to this leg of the campaign by Ange Postecoglou and his crew, with a routine home victory over Iraq followed by a hard-earned away win in the UAE and a draw last Thursday in Saudi Arabia.
The top four teams in the group (Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Japan) are separated by only one point, with Iraq and Thailand cast adrift and pointless. With only two automatic qualifiers and a third-place playoff on offer, every match carries plenty of meaning over the coming months.
On paper at least Japan represent the toughest opposition to the Socceroos in the group, but their form so far has been patchy. They suffered a surprise defeat to the UAE in their opening group game and required a 96th minute winner to down Iraq a few nights ago. Coach Vahid Halilhodzic is under immense scrutiny and another disappointing performance tonight could spell the end of his tenure in charge of the Blue Samurai.
Australia’s rivalry with Japan has been one of the highlights of the move into the AFC. The Tim Cahill inspired 2006 World Cup comeback remains the highlight, but whenever these countries meet there’s a sense continental supremacy is at stake. This is especially so at present with the Socceroos the reigning Asian Cup champions but without a win over Japan since 2009.
Jonathan will be here shortly to guide you through proceedings at Etihad, where Australia face their traditional Asian rivals hoping to consolidate top spot in Group B.
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