The Socceroos host an undefeated Japan tonight in the fourth round of Asian Football Confederation World Cup qualifiers. Join us from 8pm AEST for minute-by-minute commentary and live scores.
The Socceroos will confront their biggest challenge yet en route to Brazil 2014. Anyone who saw any of Japan’s thrashing of Jordan on Friday night would have no doubt they were witnessing the best team in Asia in red-hot form.
The Socceroos have a very short time to recover from playing in extreme heat five days earlier, and perversely face a longer trip back to Brisbane than Japan do.
The gulf between Japan and Jordan was stark. We shouldn’t be surprised when we see which clubs some Blue Samurai play for: Shinji Kagawa has just signed with Manchester United, Yuto Nagamoto plays with Inter Milan, Keisuke Honda plays with CSKA Moscow, and captain Makoto Hasebe is a regular with Wolfsburg.
Let’s not forget the incomparable Yasuhito Endo, who has played in Japan for the whole of his career.
In the meantime, Australia’s aging squad are leaving their European bases one by one, looking for final pay cheques in the Middle East and the A-League.
We have to allow for the conditions in Oman last Friday, but this lowly-ranked team made the Socceroos look like a also-rans for much of the second half.
We need some divine intervention, and if we are looking for a portent, what about this: it is six years to the day that the Socceroos came back very late in the piece to defeat Japan 3-1 for our first ever World Cup win.
Tim Cahill was the hero that day with a brace, and his name has been discussed in recent days. He hasn’t featured much in recent Socceroo games, but Holger Osieck needs to balance the limited recovery of the players who featured last Friday with the need to inject something differen and fresh into the team.
Cahill could be just what the doctor ordered.
Osieck has been holding his cards close to his chest, more than likely giving some players time to prove their fitness.
With Japan being in such form, I’m thinking Osieck will opt for a defensive 4-2-3-1 formation (to counter Japan’s attacking 4-2-3-1), with Mile Jedinak coming into the team as a second defensive midfielder, partnering Carl Valeri, who was good in the first half last game.
With Japan’s tallest central defender, Maya Yoshida, injured for this match, the door might open for Josh Kennedy to come in as the centre-forward. Brosque and Kewell up forward last game didn’t really work.
Jade North and David Carney were good at full back, especially in the first half, but once again, it becomes a matter of recovery. In the case of North, it would not surprise to see Williams coming into the team.
More than likely, Holger will stick with Lucas Neill and Sasa Ognenovski, although once again, ageing legs are an issue. Spiranovic is young and still finding his way, but might have the advantage of fresh legs and knowing some of his opponents.
Mark Bresciano deserves to keep his playmaking role in front of the two defensive mids, with the only question mark being whether the 32 year old has another 90 minutes in him.
As for the wide players, depending on what form of 4-2-3-1 Holger wants to run with, he may decide to replace Luke Wilkshire and Matt McKay.
Wilkshire faded badly in the second half last game, while Mckay never got going, although he does carry with him some home ground advantage.
Harry Kewell is another who never got going last game, but given he didn’t play the full 90 minutes, he’s one to consider on the left wing where he might be able to find more space for himself than he did against Oman as the second striker.
James Troisi is another option on the left side.
If Holger wants a true winger on the right side, he won’t find that in Wilkshire, and here he might be tossing up between Robbie Kruse or Nikita Rukavytsya.
That leaves no room for Cahill, who might have to come off the bench, but once again, it all depends on how well some players have come up after Friday night.
Japan is playing with supreme confidence, each and every member of the regular starting XI in top form, their only issue is guarding against complacency.
Hat-trick hero against Jordan, Keisuke Honda, claims the Blue Samurai’s best form will be too much for the Socceroos. He’s probably right, but at this level of competition it’s dangerous to count your chickens before they hatch.
Manager Alberto Zaccheroni knows that another three points here and they can start buying their tickets for Brazil.
For Australia, another point is sufficient, and even a loss is not a disaster.
Tonight it’s about Osieck getting his charges to last the full 90 minutes, and locking down and crowding out Japan’s classy midfield.
If the Socceroos are mentally up for the challenge, a low-scoring draw and close win could be on the cards. If Japan are firing, and Australia looking fatigued, the Socceroos may need to dig-deep just to hold on.
Kasey
Guest
40k on a Tuesday night in the middle of the NE States usual feverous build up to SoO is not too shabby IMO. Remind me again why FFA should spend money marketing these games? 40k at $30-50 a pop + $1m from the AFC for the TV deal is a pretty tidy return for FFA. Certainly nothing to worry about all things considered. What should be on the sh*t list is the stadium manager who booked the Wallabies 2 nights before a crucial World cup Qualifier. Until stadia can promise they will present billiard table-like surfaces, they should remain on the FFA sh*t list.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
That cold, brutal, miserable, unkindly light of day :)
Kasey
Guest
Johnno, not having a go, but how do you feel in the cold light of day to reflect upon your statement mate?
whiskeymac
Guest
luke wilkshire i believe is the correct spelling =)
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss Must read links .. re our often discussion on FFA / Asia etc... this could be a massive boost for the national side ... http://www.eaff.com/eanews/release/2012/120420.html (5) Football Federation Australia’s interest in EAFF East Asian Cup 2013 Football Federation Australia (FFA)’s interest in EAFF East Asian Cup was reported. The participation of national team’s (Men and Women) of FFA into EAFF East Asian Cup 2013 is regarded positively in general in terms of competiveness and promotional aspects by EXCO member who attended this EXCO meeting and this would increase and upgrade its value and authorities of EAFF East Asian Cup from long term point of view. EAFF EXCO members expressed their welcome to this proposal and at the same time, EXCO members agreed to study and review in advance in depth through relevant standing committee such as competition, marketing and financial committees. The final decision of Australia’s participation will be decided by EAFF EXCO members in consultation with relevant standing committees of EAFF Lastly, through this challenge, a brighter future will come to East Asian Football Federation Look who is on the committee ... http://www.eaff.com/organisation/about.html
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss Saw this post on SBS and tho Fuss would love this... hope you enjoy from The Volly on the SBS thread of the match... I hope ppl stop viewing the Socceroos as with a half glass empty attitude as we read so many times on this forum and other sites. Before the match started tonight a friend of mine said he believed Japan would win. I replied by saying Japan is very good esp. this time round but Socceroos are always hard to beat. Even with one man down we hit the post. Just as it was in South Africa, 10 men Socceroos should have won against Ghana, and we beat Serbia, when most ppl were doubting the squad. We are not unbeatable but we are hard to beat. It's been like that for years so why are ppl constantly doubting the team?
Johnno
Guest
yes keep the faith fuss absolutely 100% for sure this socceroos squad can make it to Brazil 2014 they have the ability.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Hehe, yes heard that didn't go down too well with Timmy :-D
Paul
Guest
The Jordan game in Amman now shapes up as a VERY important game. Anything less than 3 points and the Socceroos are in trouble. Although, if the Socceroos cannot proceed from this group, they don't deserve to be in Brazil.
Ballymore
Guest
I thought Australia was too old & too slow? Oops. Bring on Jordan. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
seanoroo
Guest
True, but not to the same extent as this particular game. Im obviously not on the same wavelength as other posters here, the Uraguay/Japan 06 games still give me chills, but this game leaves me with a sour taste.
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss Gotta give it to you mate you held the faith...
Walt
Guest
Far from a disaster. In fact i would say everything is going nicely for Australia. Lets not forget that finishing above Japan is not the objective - the objective is finishing above Jordan, Oman and Iraq. Getting a draw away to Oman is a good result, I would expect we will beat them when they come to Australia. The next two games are 11 September in Jordan 16 October V Iraq (probably in Qatar or Dubai) Get 2-6 points in these games are we are just about on our way to Brazil.
dasilva
Guest
The thing is, I thought Japan to be favourites and thought it will be a tremendous performance for us to win or even draw the match The result was that I ended up leaving the match elated and delighted with the performance and proud of their bravery and fighting spirit shown in holding off, being competitive and even threatening the goal of Japan. We played incredibly well to scare the life out of great team You downplayed Japan at every opportunity and then left watching the match disappointed because you didn't really rate them and you expected a better result from the socceroos. Really there are advantage as a fan in downplaying your team and extolling the virtue of the opposition. You more likely to be pleasantly surprise and you are happy to get what you get from the match. That said don't you think you are selling our team a bit short there in a tremendous performance against the odds?
Walt
Guest
Disappointing result? I was satisfied. Losing Marco early was a disaster, then going a man down and a goal down. To hold their nerve and nearly pinch a win after a draining and frustrating trip to Oman is worth a pat on the back.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
If you think matches don't get decided by the field and goal imps, boy there are some supporter groups I could point you to.
Midfielder
Guest
What a game ... best I have seen on a long time... gonna be hard to drop Timmy again...
Swampy
Guest
Great game - most entertaining socceroos match I've seen live in years. As we were missing our best player in Holman (crikey did i say that) and we still managed numerous opportunities to score I feel it was one of the more positive results in years. It was a concern though, with the appearance of Milligan, a big hole opened up about 30m out from Australia's goal. Honda was outstanding for Japan as was the big Og for us. Summary is we need Holman back and a left and right full back. But nearly every team in the world has holes at one of those positions! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
seanoroo
Guest
I love to watch the socceroos more than anything but this game was on par with the manny pacquiao vs timothy bradley fight, I hope the AFL dont go down the path of FIFA and boxing where the sports dictated by refs and judges. Love Holgar though, pure class and reminds me of my late Opa.
Stevo
Guest
I think he nearly gave her a slap when she started on about the age of the Roos. Was not impressed one bit was our Timmy - just like a jilted lover :)