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JPN vs AUS
AFC WC Qualifiers
Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama
Japan
vs
Australia
1
FT
1
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
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Full-Time: 1 - 1
That is all we have time for on Tribe as Australia earns a point against an in from Japan. I have been Elliot Thompson, and thank you for joining me. Join us later on for some Nations League action as Scotland face Portugal.
Japan, next up in qualifying, have an away game against Indonesia in November, which is when the next international break takes place. They remain top of the group on 10 points after that draw. Australia, meanwhile, have a home match against Saudi Arabia. As it stands right now, they still sit in second place, but if either Saudi Arabia or Bahrain win later on today, they will go ahead of The Socceroos.
Tony Popovic's positive start to life as Australian manager has continued. A draw away in Japan is certainly a good result, considering how poorly Australia had started the group. They defended ever so strongly with the back three of Geria. Souttar and Burgess are all doing so well. Burgess couldn't do anything to stop his own goal. If he didn't stick out a leg, Ueda was there to tap home anyway. In attack they were non existent with the own goal for them being a massive slice of luck. The delivery from Millar was a good one but Taniguchi really should have done better. Unfortuantley for Popovic they couldn't hold on but nonetheless it is a really strong foundation to build at the start of his tenure.
THE POINTS ARE SHARED AS JAPAN'S PERFECT RECORD COMES TO AN END! Japan will be annoyed that they have not been able to carry on their winning record. However, they will also be pleased that they didn't let this game slip away from them. After a first half with minimal chances from both sides, Australia shockingly took the lead. Miller's cross was bizarrely put past Suzuki in goal by his teammate Taniguchi, who cleared with his wrong foot. Japan had struggled to break down Australia, so it looked like they may be on course for a loss. That was until manager Hajime Moriyasu made several attacking changes. The key change was bringing on Keito Nakamura as the equaliser, which was all his doing. His raw pace allowed him to breeze past Yazbek into the box before his fiery cross was turned into his net by Burgess. In the last 15 minutes, the home crowd roared Japan on, but they struggled to create another big opportunity. The one half chance again came from Nakamura, who so nearly found Ogawa with a low cross. Japan did dominate overall, but really they didn't do enough to deserve a win.
90+4'
Mitoma on the right wing looks to run away from Burgess as Japan break. However, Burgess has no interest in letting him past as he drags him down by his shoulder. The most cynical foul you are likely to see.
90+4'
C. Burgess
90+2'
Irvine struggles to keep hold of the ball in midfield. Goodwin reacts, though, to tackle Mitoma cleanly from behind. He tries to attack down the right wing but then heads straight for the corner. Goodwin cannot keep it in, though, as Macihda quickly takes the throw trying not to waste any valuable seconds.
+5
89'
Goodwin's first contribution is to challenge Macida in the air. He catches the defender late with a high foot, so he is shown a yellow card.