Japan has secured top place in their Asian Cup group and a quarter-final date with United Arab Emirates by defeating Jordan 2-0.
At a sold-out AAMI Park on Tuesday night, Japan made short work of their qualification, scoring first through Keisuke Honda.
A second-half finish from Shinji Kagawa made the game safe and kept Japan on track for a semi-final date with Australia – while sending Jordan home.
Japan were imperious in the first half, owning possession as they gracefully moved around the field.
Their 4-1-4-1 formation allowed dangerous attackers Takashi Inui, Yasuhito Endo, Kagawa and Honda to roam behind front man Shinji Okazaki.
They combined to deadly effect on 24 minutes.
The bright Inui released Okazaki, whose shot was palmed away by Amer Shafi into the path of Honda, who stroked home at the back post.
Shafi, the Jordanian captain, impressed until the second goal.
Subsitute Yoshinori Muto drove the ball down the left wing, delivering a pinpoint cross for Kagawa to finish.
The Borussia Dortmund man connected sweetly but straight at Shafi, who could only palm the ball into the net.
Both before and after Honda’s opener, Japan’s lack of urgency suggested a team playing well within their capabilities.
The half-time introduction of Monther Abu Amara and Ahmad Hayel, who missed Jordan’s 5-1 win over Palestine after a bungled drug test, sparked the 93rd ranked side.
Abu Amara was particularly lively on the right flank, willing his team forward.
But Japan adjusted for their opponents’ new found enthusiasm and resumed normal transmission.
The scoreline could have been wider – Japan had two goals ruled out for marginal calls, with both central defenders coming close from set-pieces.
Honda also added to his growing collection of woodwork strikes on 90 minutes with the keeper well beaten.
But both coach Javier Aguirre and the largely blue-clad crowd of 25,016 could be content with two goals from their superstars, a clean sheet and the continuation of their 100 per cent record in Australia.
langou
Roar Guru
I don't think we lack confidence at all. We expect to make the World Cup every year, we expected to make it out the group in 2010, in 2007 everyone was convinced that all we needed to do was rock up to the Asia Cup and we would win. Every world cup qualifier that isn't against Japan we expect to win. That's confidence. We deserve to be favourites for this match but it will not be easy. If we don't play at our best, don't take our chance or if China play out of their skin, they could beat us. Our World Cup run in 2006 showed that a well managed team, full of confidence can compete with better sides. Japan, Italy, Croatia were all considered better than us but we took it to all of them. Now the shoe is on the other foot and we are the favourites. Its arrogant to think that Australia is capable, with an understrength and inexperienced team, of almost beating Chile and Netherlands at the World Cup but that China won't be competitive against us at the Asian Cup. .
AZ_RBB
Guest
5000+ tickets have been bought by Chinese fans for tomorrow night's game. Hope we match them in the stands and beat them on the field.
Squirrel
Guest
Iran all the way
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
@langou And there lies the problem with a lot of people in the football world here in Australia. We lack any real confidence as a nation playing this great game and that has been our downfall for far too long. This tournament is ours for the taking and I expect Australia to ragdoll China.
langou
Roar Guru
Anyone who talks about us playing Japan in the semi-final should be made to write 100 lines there are no easy games in Asia there are no easy games in Asia there are no easy games in Asia there are no easy games in Asia
Waz
Guest
I thought the same watching them at Suncorp - they could easily find their gears in the next three games or equally they could struggle. Whoever meets them needs to take the game to them and give them a real test - I fancy Australia to do that IF they can overcome their own demons tomorrow night :-)
The Bear
Guest
That's highly insulting to all parties concerned. And it shows a fair amount of ignoranceto boot.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Yep, got the impression watching them at AAMI last night that they had a few more gears that weren't being used against Jordan. Will be interesting to see how they respond against a team that scores and takes it up to them. Let's wait and see before pronouncing them as champions.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Neither are Japan. Somethings are a given and this is one of them. If we get beaten by China then we don't deserve to even be in this tournament as the hosts.
c
Guest
we ain't in the semi yet
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
"But there is something in their psyche that seems to seize them up when playing the real big boys of world football." Well it's good news for Japan then since no one fit's into the 'big boys' category at this tournament. Equally true for the Roos. Hopefully we can stuff them stupid in the semi and go on to win the tournament from there.
Waz
Guest
Japan are wasteful in front of goal, it will either come right and they will take the title with ease of it wont and if will cost them in a semi final or final match!
Towser
Guest
Pretty much agree with all of your summation Red Block,Japan last night displayed the the class of player and quality of play to take out the tournament. Only an exceptional performance from any team will beat them,we hope that team is Australia,but first tomorrow night.
Red Block
Guest
It is hard to believe this team of superstars performed so badly at the World Cup. As usual with Japan, they make weaker opposition appear second-rate and amaze us with their skills. But there is something in their psyche that seems to seize them up when playing the real big boys of world football. Perhaps they lack the mental fortitude to take the next step. This may be Australia's only hope of beating them.