Australia welcome Japan to Stadium Australia for an important AFC World Cup qualifiers on Thursday afternoon with kickoff at 12:10.
Australia made a fine start to the third round of the Asian World Cup Qualifiers, winning all their opening three matches against China, Vietnam and Oman. However, they have slumped recently as they have only won one of their last four qualifying matches, a run that saw them drop into the third spot with three points behind the second-placed Japan.
With two matches remaining the Socceroos will need to beat japan on Thursday to increase their chances of finishing in a direct qualification spot.
However, the Samurai Blue aren’t going to make it easier for them and as a win on Thursday for Japan will seal their place in the Qatar later this year. The Samurai Blue have been flying high recently with the side winning all their last five qualifying matches, including the 2-0 win over Group B leaders Saudi Arabia.
Japan should have plenty of confidence as well, especially since they won when these two teams last met, with Ao Tanaka originally giving them the lead before Ajdin Hrustic equalized, only for Aziz Behich to score a late own goal, granting the Blue Samurai a 2-1 win.
They also boast a good record over Australia having not lost to the Socceroos in their last eight meetings, winning in five of those and will want to extend the run.
Australia vs Japan head to head
Both sides have met in 12 encounters 2006 with Japan claiming six victories while Australia have claimed two victories and there have been four draws.
- Japan 2-1 Australia 12/10/21
- Japan 2-0 Australia 31/08/17
- Australia 1-1 Japan 11/10/16
- Japan 2-1 Australia 18/11/14
- Japan 3-2 Australia 25/07/13
Home
- Oman 2-2 Australia
- Australia 4-0 Vietnam
- China 1-1 Australia
- Australia0-0 Saudi Arabia
- Japan 2-1 Australia
Away
- Japan 2-0 Saudi Arabia
- Japan 2-0 China
- Oman 0-1 Japan
- Vietnam 0-1 Japan
- Japan 2-1 Australia
Australia team news
Australia have called a 27-man squad for the double-header against Japan and Saudi Arabia, although they will be without Tom Rogic and Riley McGree due to injuries while Matchew Leckie is a doubt and Jamie MaClaren, Aaron Mooy, Jacson Irvine, Matchew Spiranovic and Ryan McGowan are all unavailable.
Japan team news
Japan will be without Yuya Osako, Hiroki Sakai and Takehiro Tomiyasu due to injuries while Daizen Maeda is unavailable du to fitness issues.
Prediction and odds
- Japan win
- Both sides to score
- Goals over 2.5
