Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has implored his players to be proud rather than disappointed by their courageous draw against Japan which keeps their World Cup destiny alive and in their hands.
While Japan booked their passage for Brazil with Keisuke Honda’s stoppage time penalty in the 1-1 draw in front of a 60,000 crowd at Saitama Stadium, Australia must now win both their remaining World Cup qualifiers.
Oman’s 1-0 win over Iraq in Muscat early on Wednesday (AEST) lifts the Omanis into second place and keeps the Socceroos third in Asia’s Group B, with only the top two qualifying automatically.
But with a game in hand, the Socceroos will go to Brazil if they can beat both Jordan in Melbourne on June 11 and Iraq in Sydney on June 18 regardless of other results.
Osieck was proud of his players’ efforts against Japan, praising their defensive discipline right across the pitch as first-class.
“There was some disappointment (in the dressing-room). But we are going to get mentally strong from this game to play Jordan and Iraq,” Osieck said.
“When you are very close to winning such a very difficult game, then of course you are disappointed.
“But I told my players they should have their heads up, not question themselves and I think we should gain a lot of confidence from this game to get ready for the two home games in Australia now.
“We know we have to win our home games and must now put our efforts into that.”
Tommy Oar’s 82nd minute goal looked like giving Australia a famous victory over star-studded Japan, as the Socceroos rode the defensive brilliance of goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill to stymie the Japanese attack.
But left-back Matt McKay conceded a 90th minute penalty for handball, allowing Honda to convert the spot-kick and send Japan into wild celebration.
It was gutting for Australia, who defended particularly bravely as Japan pressured them heavily in the opening 20 minutes of the second half – Honda missing a point-blank chance and Shinji Kagawa brushing the crossbar.
Schwarzer was particularly brilliant, with an amazing one-handed save to deny Kagawa on 19 minutes after his interplay with Shinji Okazaki and Honda neatly unzipped the Australian defence.
Then he spread himself at full stretch in the 80th minute with Yuto Nagatomo bearing down on goal.
Two minutes later, Australia had taken the lead as Oar’s floated shot drifted over Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima for an advantage few saw coming, until Japan levelled at the death.
The Socceroos head for Australia later on Wednesday, and are scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on Thursday ahead of the Jordan clash at Etihad Stadium.
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