An uncharacteristically cautious Japan side came away from Etihad Stadium with a precious point in World Cup qualifying after holding Australia to a 1-1 draw – the Socceroos’ second draw in a week.
Ange Postecoglou’s side remain on course to reach the tournament in Russia, but their path may have become that bit less straightforward after dropping points away in Saudi Arabia last week and now at home against their old Asian foes.
The hosts fell behind early on – just as they had done during last week’s 2-2 draw in Jeddah – when Trent Sainsbury was made to rue a poor clearance out of defence that gifted possession to the visitors and led to Genki Haraguchi slotting past Mat Ryan within five minutes.
But to the relief of a 48,000-strong Melburnian crowd, a point was salvaged after Haraguchi went from hero to villain in the second half, upending Tommy Juric in the penalty area and allowing the Socceroos skipper, Mile Jedinak, the chance to convert from the spot.
The Aston Villa midfielder kept his cool and the result leaves Australia top of Group B – at least until the Saudis, who started the day level on points with the Socceroos but with an inferior goal difference, play fourth-placed United Arab Emirates in Jeddah.
Australia could have ensured they kept top spot had they managed to convert their second half dominance into another goal – they were rampant in the final 20 minutes as they chased a winner, but their transformation from frog to prince came too late for a victory.
They remain a point ahead of arch-rivals Japan and still own their qualifying destiny with six matches left on the road to the 2018 tournament in Russia.
The Socceroos started without confidence and soon fell behind as Japan frustrated the home side and their fans in the stands out-sang locals. Playing with a 4-4-2 system, including surprise selection Apostolos Giannou alongside Tomi Juric up front, the Socceroos couldn’t cut through.
Australia subsisted on set pieces in a lacklustre first stanza. Matthew Spiranovic headed Aaron Mooy’s cross over and Jedinak brought a save out of Shusaku Nishikawa from a direct free-kick.
The break Australia desperately needed came on 51 minutes, when Juric was bundled over in the box by Japan’s goalscorer following Brad Smith’s intelligent run and cross.
The Socceroos, reverting to their usual 4-3-3 formation, were on top and Postecoglou gave substitutes Robbie Kruse and Tim Cahill half an hour to help find a winner.
While Matthew Spiranovic headed a late corner over, it was Japan who came closest to a second goal, Takuma Asano unlucky not to connect with Haraguchi’s cross with Ryan beaten.
“It wasn’t sluggish,” Jedinak said after the game. “We just got sucked into a trap. We expected a reaction from ourselves and that’s what we got. Second half we were a bit more patient, our movement was better and we put them on the back foot.”
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