Australia vs Japan

Accor Stadium is the venue as Australia and Japan go head-to-head in Asia’s FIFA World Cup qualification Group B top-table six-pointer.

Australia’s hopes of landing automatic qualification for the upcoming final tournament are hanging by a thread. Going into the penultimate qualifying round, the ‘Socceroos’ sit three points adrift of Group B runners-up Japan, whom they’ve failed to beat in any of their last eight international H2Hs (D3, L5). Even though Australia head coach Graham Arnold will be out after testing positive for Covid-19, Australia can draw confidence from their impressive home form in the ongoing qualifying cycle. They have won seven of their eight qualifying home matches, the second round included (D1). What’s more, each of the Australians’ three Group B home victories have yielded a 2+ goal margin, further adding to their confidence.

On the other hand, a draw could prove sufficient for Japan’s bid to land their seventh successive World Cup finals appearance, as Australia will meet section-toppers Saudi Arabia on the ultimate matchday. Although the ‘Samurai Blue’ will be without standout defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, they should remain compact at the back after conceding only three goals in the third qualifying round, fewer than any other nation in Group B. Despite racking up a Group B-high nine points from four road trips so far (W3, L1), Hajime Moriyasu’s men have established themselves as ‘entertainment killers’ away from home. Indeed, each of their four third-stage away matches have featured an identical 1-0 scoreline.