The Socceroos’ hopes of automatic qualification for November’s World Cup in Qatar have been flattened after an uninspiring 2-0 loss to Japan in Sydney on Thursday night.
While a win against a nation it had not defeated since 2009 seemed unlikely in the first instance, the disastrous build-up to Australia’s penultimate Asian qualifier made a win almost out of the realms of reality.
Indeed, the shambolic nature of the past fortnight – with the squad affected by injuries, illnesses, COVID-19 protocols, and other unavailabilities – was clearly evident on the pitch from the opening whistle.
Australia’s rag-tag group of players lacked chemistry across the park and were regularly overwhelmed by Japan’s more organised and cohesive side.
Spear-headed by the dazzling Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino, Japan easily dominated the game on and off the ball, pressing collectively to retrieve possession and finding multiple avenues towards goal.
Midfield was a particular weakness for Australia, with the untested duo of Connor Metcalfe and Gianni Stensness paired together in deep-lying midfield positions.
They were regularly overwhelmed by Japan’s more lively central players, while creative attacking player Ajdin Hrustic was positioned as a second wide forward to pair with Mitchell Duke and became Australia’s predictable outlet.
Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren was left on the bench until the game’s dying stages, despite the fact he’s only available for this match before leaving camp to attend his wedding, while former Uruguay youth international Bruno Fornaroli was brought on in the final 20 minutes but did little with his debut for his adopted country.
Australia had a disallowed goal in the first half after a Hrustic corner was bundled over the line by a Japan defender, only to be called back after the referee determined there was a foul on Japan’s goalkeeper in the build-up.
Despite holding out Japan for the first half, Australia was aided by the crossbar twice, as well as heroics from goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan who made a number of crucial saves.
And while Minamino had the greatest number of chances, it was Japan substitute Kaoru Mitamo whose second-half brace lifted the visitors to the win it needed to ease through to Qatar through two slicing moves down either side of the field that exposed Australia’s fatigued defenders.
The result means Australia has won only one of its last six games, a 4-0 victory over Vietnam.
Australia’s final group game against Saudi Arabia on March 29 is now largely redundant as the team prepare to go down the intercontinental play-off route, the first step of which will be against the third-placed team from the other Asian group, followed by a knock-out game against a South American side.
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