The point apiece means Australia remain unbeaten after four games in the final phase of World Cup qualifying, with two wins and two draws giving them eight points.
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Since Australia joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006, the teams have developed a fierce rivalry, facing off at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and in the 2011 Asian Cup final, which Japan won.
So, it will be interesting to see how Ange Postecoglou sets his side up against the risky Japan.
“I think it was two points lost”, Halilhodzic said.
But Japan had not given up thoughts of winning this game themselves, and they nearly took the lead again in the 74th minute but for a brilliant Ryan save.
Veteran Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodžić – under pressure in Japan for perceived poor results and facing player discontent – made a show of billing his side as underdogs pre-game, and set his side up first and foremost with the aim of trying to earn a point away from home.
It gave Australia a boost but Japan came closest to a victor as Ryan made a spectacular stop and a late chance just eluded the visitors.
While the introduction of Robbie Kruse early in the second half saw a much improved version of the 4-4-2 diamond, there is growing evidence that Australia can’t afford to play Rogic, Mooy and Luongo together.
“I got five minutes (against Saudi) and I’ve got some fantastic memories to score a lot of goals against these Asian teams”. “There haven’t been many he hasn’t scored against”.
Massimo Luongo has declared himself ready to take on Japan as the Socceroos seek a return to winning ways in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night.
“From our perspective, we were just very very static”. Whether he starts tomorrow we’ll assess today. “Each player is thinking to win this game”.
The normally crisp passing is now frequently the cause of a regular loss of possession, there’s far too great a tendency to rely on “hopeful” wild switches of play or lashings forward from defence, runs are made and not spotted or reached and there’s a hesitancy and lack of mobility at the back.
“We started chasing the scoreboard rather than just playing our game”.
Cahill played only a few minutes of the Socceroos’ 2-2 draw against Saudi Arabia in their previous qualifier in Jeddah and has started just one competitive match in the last few months for new A-League club Melbourne City.
South Korea, aiming for a ninth successive appearance at the World Cup, struggled to threaten and are in third place in the group with seven points, two behind Uzbekistan in second place.
“We could have done more with our movement”, he said. “But they were very good at it and very disciplined and worked hard defensively”. “Each player is thinking to win this game”.
Socceroos vs Japan kick off at 8.00pm AEST on Tuesday. Live Streaming and TV information is below.
Jedinak told a press conference that he was “fit to go” and there is no doubt that his leadership and physical strength is a vital asset in the heat of battle.
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Japan: TV: NHK and TV Asahi.
