Vahid Halilhodzic is in danger of losing his job should Japan lose to Australia, so why should the Socceroos feel like the pressure is on them at Saitama Stadium?
The walk from Urawa-Misono Station to Saitama Stadium is relatively short and largely non-descript, radiating out from the sort of transport hub typical of the satellite towns that dot the outskirts of Tokyo.
The area used to be mostly farmland, and Saitama Stadium 2002 – to give it its full name – sits incongruously atop a verdant landscape once dominated by rice paddies.
The numeral in the stadium’s name is a reminder that on-field success is a relatively new phenomenon for Japan’s national team, with the 2002 FIFA World Cup – for which Saitama Stadium was built – one of the high points in the recent history of the Samurai Blue.
It’s unlikely Halilhodzic’s team will ever scale any great heights, which is why their third round 2018 World Cup qualification record to date won’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of Ange Postecoglou and his team.
Starting with a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of the United Arab Emirates – in front of a stunned Saitama Stadium crowd – Japan drew 1-1 with the Socceroos in Melbourne and most recently were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Iraq in neutral Tehran.
In between there was time for a similarly insipid 1-1 draw with Syria in a friendly in Tokyo, with Halilhodzic’s side continuing to scratch around to find any semblance of form.
And having seen the squad Halilhodzic has opted to send out the Socceroos, there’s no real reason to fear the hosts.
There’s firepower, of course, and the likes of Yuya Osako and Yosuke Ideguchi could cause more headaches for the Socceroos’ back three than some of the names more familiar to Australian fans.
There’s also a familiar face in the form of one-time Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Yojiro Takahagi, while English Premier League fans have seen Shinji Okazaki put away plenty of goals for Leicester City over the past couple of seasons.
But in captain Keisuke Honda and playmaker Shinji Kagawa, Japan possess two of the biggest names in Asian football – and they seem to be posing more questions than answers these days.
Honda’s goal on debut for Mexican club Pachuca last week was a reminder of the potency and power of one of Japanese football’s most talismanic players.
But how much will all the fanfare in central Mexico – not to mention the travel to and fro – have taken out of him? And why is he playing Liga MX anyway?
Kagawa, meanwhile, remains a peripheral figure at Borussia Dortmund, and both he and national teammate Genki Haraguchi came off the bench to face each other in the Bundesliga over the weekend.
That’s not to imply that Japan don’t have the means to hurt the Socceroos, nor is there any reason for Postecoglou’s players to be complacent.
But we have a tendency to sometimes overstate the ability and influence of Japanese players, and realistically there’s more pressure on them than the Socceroos to register a win in Saitama.
Part of the problem is Halilhodzic – no doubt a decent coach, but one who relies on the assistance of his Japanese support staff for various linguistic and cultural reasons.
You can’t help but think Japan would be better served with a Japanese coach at the helm – ask Graham Arnold about all the ways instructions can be interpreted – and should the Samurai Blue succumb to another defeat at Saitama Stadium, it may spell the end of Halilhodzic’s largely forgettable reign.
Whatever happens in Saitama, the Socceroos can rest assured that they will run out in front of one of the loudest crowds they will encounter all year.
It’s hot here too – I’m writing this from Osaka – and while the temperatures will have cooled come kick-off on Thursday night, it’s nothing compared to the white-hot focus starting to bear down on Halilhodzic and his misfiring Japanese side.
Arto
Guest
Admittedly, you didn't ask me, but I can't withstand the impulse to comment regardless... ;-) I don't think the 2-1 result will change nge's thinking one bit - he's too stubborn/single-minded in his approach/plan to this qualifying to let one result so close to kick-off affect things. Whilst, I must admit I'm a bit in the dark as to how he'll approach this game, his public statements have always been about fearing no-one and attacking/trying to beat even the biggest teams so I can't see that being any different here... How that translates into team selection & formation is the unknown as even the players are kept guessing right up until the last minute. I've read Fox Sports 'experts' reckon Milligan will play in midfield as Jedinak is out, but I'd like to see a Back 3 of Milligan, Sainsbury & Spiranovic. Despite Mooy's lack of pace, I think he needs to play DM and therefore I'd have Luongo beside him (despite that back-firing against Ger). I'd play Gersbach ahead of Smith (despite Smith's greater Int experience) due to Gerbach's relatively better match-Fitness (Smith's only played 1 match out of 4 this season). I'd also choose a AM 3 of Kruse, Rogic & Troisi as they will be able to produce a chance from distance and I can't see us getting the Japanese Box so often. To round out, I'd start Cahill - both for psychological & physical impact at the start - as he's more mobile than Juric and better able to 'muster the troops' (especially seeing as Jedinak is out). Putting Juric on in the 2nd half against a more tired Japanese defence will be to his advantage too, I reckon...
Nemesis
Guest
No one if the football community gives a stuff about friendly results.
hauzenscher
Guest
Japan 2 Australia 0 Friendly 2014, Nagai Stadium, Osaka Off your game these days Nemesis?
Caltex TEN & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Our comments passed each other in cyber space... LOL!
Caltex TEN & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Playing the Devil's advocate here---I am thinking he will stay with the starting XI (3-4-3) who performed so magnificently against Chile and in the last game against Chile at home make wholesale changes and play Mooy, Rogic, Kruse for the final match, and even perhaps Jedinak if fit.
Nemesis
Guest
Actually, I'd like to see Ange put out nearly the same Starting XI vs JPN as he did in the final Confed Cup match vs Chile. Maybe, Spiranovic instead of McGowan in defence. Hit them hard from the kick-off, press constantly, crunch in with the tackles & get in their faces. The final match vs Thailand, bring on the silky stuff in midfield with both Mooy & Rogic
Nemesis
Guest
Got to admit, Caltex. When it comes to figuring out what Ange will do, I've found the best way for me to get it right is to write down what I think will happen... And, then Ange will do the complete opposite!
Caltex TEN & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Nemeses - because of this result "UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia". This will have Ange thinking to throw all caution to the wind against Japan and go on the front foot and attack with (3-4-3); What will Ange do now with team selections?
Post_hoc
Guest
I hate how work gets in the way of football
At work
Roar Rookie
Jaji that's a great result for us, we're now equal with SA with a game in hand and both on +6 goal difference. While I loved the importance of the Japan match which was essentially do or die, this at least eases the stress somewhat. Still though I think if we get a draw we're as good as through as we'll only need a 1-0 win against Thailand
TK
Guest
Maybe the reason it wasn't published was calling the head of FFA a dictator worried the eds. Benevolent dictator perhaps?
Nemesis
Guest
Overnight WCQ Group B result: UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia So, even if AUS loses on Thursday night, destiny will be in our hands for the Final match against Thailand since Goal Difference will be used after points difference to decide the table rankings. Who has more pressure - AUS or JPN? Well, what would you prefer for the final fixture a) Home match vs the bottom team b) Away match in the Middle East vs a team that's playing for a WC Finals spot?
JAJI
Guest
A draw more than enough - as Saudi have lost, unbelievably to UAE...heck even a loss in Japan and we are home with a thumping of Thailand as its more likely we would put 5-6 past Thailand than Saudi doing the same against I admit a qualified Japan It was 1-1 in 2009 and 1-1 in 2013 and even 1-1 at home in 2012 Given 2 draws is enough for Japan to get home is it another 1-1?
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Probably one of the most important games for the Socceroos in recent years. Any prediction is plausible Mike, because this one is going to be close. There aren't too many blowouts in these fixtures and its usually decided by the odd goal. Its a pretty ordinary Socceroos team against a team that ain't at their peak. I'm backing a draw . . . again.
robi
Guest
you forgot to mention the crappy results in Brazil '14. Postecoglou is out of his depth. He become socceroos coach with practically no international experience. He was lucky the Asian Cup was held in Australia. Huge home advantage. Other than that he's been very average. The faster he gets sacked, the better. And no, he won't get a decent coaching job in Europe. Perhaps second division.
Realfootball
Guest
The tactical element is one of the great pleasures of football. I disagree, however, with your view that the team is now significantly better than the Phase 1 team. Performances do not support your argument, and I do not believe you can sheet this home to formations. The formation was changed precisely because of the poor performances. Ok, back to work.
Post_hoc
Guest
There will be nothing comfortable about Thursday for either team. A coach that is unable to get his team operating at greater than the sum of their parts should not be in the game. The whole idea of a team is to work better than individually. Ange got the best out of his team in Phase 1. To be better he had to change the team, which he has. The team now is significantly better than what went before. Have they under performed? I can't agree, they are learning a new system, a system that not many club teams (that the players come from) are utilizing. What is significant is a system that differs substantially from the National Curriculum, which i think is a whole other discussion we could have. I can't speak of many other sports, AFL for one I have no understanding if they have different structures or if each team plays roughly the same positions, 1 full back 3 centers 8 forwards, I really don't know. I do know league and there really isn't a great deal of change that happens there. But football is in a constant evolution and structures are a major component, hence why we have a National curriculum that says we shall or you will teach a 433.
Realfootball
Guest
Midfielder
Guest
Chopper 100% agree ...
Hubris
Guest
The level of entitlement displayed here by certain contributors is staggering.