Russia 2018 Asian Qualifiers Third Round: Australia v Japan preview

Published on: 10 October 2016

Melbourne: Australia maintained their unbeaten record in Group B after a draw away at Saudi Arabia on Thursday, but with Japan winning at home to Iraq the Samurai Blue are now only a point behind the table-toppers with Tuesday’s clash of the heavweights set to be a significant one.

Potential Line-ups

  • Ange Postecoglou says it is still touch and go if Tim Cahill starts but has no doubt the veteran Socceroo will play an important part against Japan.
  • Japan’s Vahid Halilhodzic thinks the psychological aspect of the match might well decide the game.
  • There are no injury concerns or suspensions for Australia.
  • Japan’s Hiroki Sakai is suspended while Yuto Nagatomo is injured.
  • Australia has not beaten Japan in their last five encounters. The last win came in June 2009 during a World Cup qualifier.
  • Match details:
    Date: 11 October 2016 (Tuesday)
    Kickoff time: 8pm AEDT, 10am GMT
    Venue: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
    Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)

    Coach Quotes

    Ange Postecoglou, Australia
    “We’re looking forward to the game immensely. Obviously it’s a big game in the group in general but whenever we play Japan I guess there’s a bit of a rivalry there which dates back probably to the 2006 World Cup. It’s one that’s grown since we’ve been in the Asian Football Confederation and one I think both nations and both sets of supporters look forward to.

    “I think it’s going to be a high quality contest played in front of a big crowd on a great pitch. I’m really looking forward to it and I know the players are too”

    Vahid Halilhodzic, Japan

    “I know Australia very well. I know they are quality, they have power, they are organised and they are disciplined but they also have weak points like every team. I have told my team about those weak points as we prepare for tomorrow’s game.

    “Tomorrow we have a different type of game than normal because we usually control games but we now play a team that will put us under high pressure. They have many overseas players and they are very impressive physically. I have prepared my players tactically for this situation so we want to avoid surprises. The small details, the concentration and success in different situations will decide the game.” 

    Head to Head Record
    18/11/14 Japan 2-1 Australia
    25/07/13 Japan 3-2 Australia
    04/06/13 Japan 1-1 Australia
    12/06/12 Australia 1-1 Japan
    29/01/11 Australia 0-1 Japan

    Form
    Australia WLWWD
    Japan WWLWW

    How they fared on MD2
    Saudi Arabia 2-2 Australia
    Although Australia’s 100% record was ended by Nassir Al Shamrani’s 71st minute strike, the Socceroos did extend their undefeated run to three games after a 2-2 draw in Jeddah thanks to goals from Trent Sainsbury and Tomi Juric.

    Japan 2-1 Iraq
    Hotaru Yamaguchi made it a 26th birthday to remember as the midfielder scored in second half stoppage time to secure all three points for the Samurai Blue as they came out on top in Saitama against visitors Iraq following goals from Genki Haraguchi and Saad Abdulamir.

    Source: the-afc.com

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