Australia managed to halt Japan’s impressive run in the third phase of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers, but an unfortunate own goal from Cameron Burgess led to a 1-1 draw at the Saitama Stadium on Tuesday. The match, which could have ended in a stunning victory for Australia, saw the group leaders share points after Burgess’s late mistake neutralized the lead gifted to Australia by an earlier own goal from Japan’s Shogo Taniguchi.
Australia had taken advantage of Taniguchi’s blunder, boosting their hopes of securing a second consecutive win under new coach Tony Popovic. Despite a disrupted preparation due to traffic delays around the stadium, the Australian squad showed resilience, holding off Japan’s attack for most of the game.
Australia’s captain, Jackson Irvine, praised the team’s determination. “My experience with this group is that, in the toughest moments, that’s when the boys really step up. There are no excuses,” he said. “To perform the way we did tonight makes me proud. The calmness and composure we showed, especially when we had to defend in tough moments right up until the final whistle, really lays a strong foundation for us going forward.”
This result ended Japan’s impressive run of nine consecutive World Cup qualifying wins, during which they had not conceded a single goal. However, they remain at the top of Group C with 10 points from four games. Australia, now in second place, has accumulated five points, with four of those coming after Popovic took over from Graham Arnold.
Popovic’s strategy for the match was noticeably conservative, setting up an ultra-defensive formation. His approach paid off as the Australians successfully stifled Japan’s attack, which had been in remarkable form, scoring 14 goals across the previous three games. Despite their defensive mindset, the Australians remained competitive throughout the match.
The game saw Popovic make significant changes to his squad, including six substitutions from the lineup that had defeated China 3-1 just a few days earlier. One notable change was the inclusion of 34-year-old Macarthur FC midfielder Luke Brattan, who made his international debut. Japan, too, made adjustments, with Ao Tanaka stepping in for Liverpool’s Wataru Endo.
Japan’s attacking threat was evident early on when Tanaka set up Takefusa Kubo, who narrowly missed the target, hitting the side netting of Australia’s goalkeeper Joe Gauci’s goal. The Japanese continued to press, and Kaoru Mitoma came close to scoring after a well-executed pass from Takumi Minamino. However, Australian defender Jason Geria deflected the shot away from danger.
Australia Resilient as Japan’s Winning Streak Ends in 1-1 Draw
Despite Japan’s dominance for much of the match, Australia managed to break through in the 58th minute when Lewis Miller delivered a low cross into the box. Under no immediate pressure, Taniguchi mistakenly turned the ball into his own net, giving Australia a surprising lead.
Japan responded by introducing Keito Nakamura, whose lively presence on the left side added a new dimension to their attack. It was Nakamura’s quick-footed run that led to Burgess’s own goal, as the Australian defender inadvertently redirected a well-placed cross into his own net, allowing Japan to salvage a draw.
While Australia might feel frustrated at missing out on a rare win against Japan, they can take heart from their defensive organization and the fighting spirit they displayed. Japan, meanwhile, continues to lead the group but will need to reflect on the rare lapse that almost cost them the game.
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