With the Socceroos set to face Japan in the upcoming international break, we took a look at the most recent meetings between the sides to see if we could gain any insight into the match ahead.
In October 2021 Australia faced Japan away from home as part of the 2022 World Cup qualification campaign. The entertaining fixture ended with Japan winning 2-1 but not without a great challenge from the Socceroos. Although Japan scored early Hrustic converted a free kick to restore parity, until a cruel late own goal from Behich saw the Japanese take the points.
In March 2022 the two sides met again with Australia desperately needing a win to keep their direct qualification hopes alive. In front of 42,000 people at Stadium Australia the Socceroos struggled against a dominant Japanese side. Japan fired 20 shots and won almost 60% of possession but a resolute Socceroos outfit kept the game tight until the very end, when Mitoma won the game for Japan with goals at the 89th and 94th minute of the match. The Socceroo’s direct qualification hopes slipped that night with a follow up game against Saudi Arabia yielding a 1-0 loss.
Across the 27 times Australia has faced Japan, Australia has won 7 times, Japan has won 11 times and there have been 9 draws. Concerningly, the last time Australia defeated Japan was in 2009 as part of the 2010 World Cup Qualification campaign in Melbourne.
The Beautiful Game 