On Tuesday 11 October at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) took on the Australia National Team in the fourth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Final Qualifiers.

As the result of the match, Japan added a point up to seven, now with two wins, one loss and one draw. Although still trailing by single point Australia who have eight points after two wins and two draws, they moved up from fourth place to third in Group B. Meanwhile Saudi Arabia defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 3-0 and took the top place of the group with 10 points out of three wins and one draw. Iraq cruised past Thailand 4-0 for their first three points in this qualifiers.

For the match against Australia, Japan replaced four players on the starting squad as well as made another positional shift, which was to have forward HONDA Keisuke (AC Milan/Italy) as a lone striker and put midfielder KAGAWA Shinji (Borussia Dortmund/Germany) behind Honda. Forward KOBAYASHI Yu (Kawasaki Frontale) took over Honda’s last match position of right midfielder, midfielder YAMAGUCHI Hotaru who scored the go-ahead goal against Iraq manned the defensive midfielder and defenders MAKINO Tomoaki (Urawa Red Diamonds) and SAKAI Gotoku (Hamburger Sport-Verein/Germany) took left and right full-backs respectively.

Five minutes into the match, Japan already showed a sigh of great start. Haraguchi left the ball to midfielder HASEBE Makoto (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany) on the left flank and ran up the side. After receiving the ball back from Honda and penetrating inside, Haraguchi composedly outsmarted the goalkeeper to lay the ball into the back of the net for the opener. Scoring more than one goal in three World Cup qualifying matches in a row is the first feat by a Japanese player since forward MIURA Kazuyoshi did in 1994 and LOPEZ Wagner in 1998.

After that, as they tightened up their defence even more, Japan kept employing quick vertical counter-attacks led by Haraguchi. In the 28th minute, Hasebe’s pass was again met by Haraguchi, but his attempt this time went off target. A minute later, Haraguchi helped Honda fire his own only to see it denied by the opposing goalkeeper.

Australia’s starting line-up also had three changes with their formation switched from their usual one forward to two forwards of TOMI JURIC and APOSTOLOS GIANNOU. Midfielder MASSIMO LUONGO and left full-back BRAD SMITH were aggressive on the left flank, but Japan’s defence was not easy to be broken though.

Even so, the Australia side created chances through free-kicks in the 18th and 32nd minutes. However, a header by Juric, who had tallied two goals in the three final qualifiers so far, went out of the woodwork, while midfielder MILE JEDINAK’s attempt was taken care of by Japan’s goalkeeper NISHIKAWA Shusaku.

After the match went into the second half with the score remaining 1-0, Australia became shifted their offensive gear up. In the 51st minute, Japan gave away a penalty kick opportunity when they illegally took down Juric who caught a left cross in the box. Jedinak converted it to equalise the match.

With added momentum, Australia substituted forward ROBBIE KRUSE onto the pitch as the third forward up front. In the 62nd minute, former Urawa Reds defender MATTHEW SPIRANOVIC scared Japan with a header, and three minutes later midfielder TOMAS ROGIC also aimed to take a lead with his head off a cross from the right. With those shots failing to turn around the scoring, Australia sent on forwards TIM CAHILL in the 69th and MATHEW LECKIE in the 81st minutes.

Japan saw their own scoring opportunity by Kobayashi reacting at a far side to Sakai’s cross feed from the right, but the Australian goalie stood tall.

In the 81st minute, midfielder KIYOTAKE Hiroshi (Sevilla) took over Kobayashi, and three minutes later ASANO Takuma (VfB Stuttgart) was put on in place of Honda to regain the lead. In the additional time, a cross by Kiyotake was deflected by the other substitute defender MARUYAMA Yuichi (F.C.Tokyo) to set up Asano’s bicycle kick. That, however, was called as a foul, and the match was finally over as a 1-1 draw.

Match Details

Japan will welcome Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday 15 November for the fifth match of the final qualifying round.

Comments

Vahid HALILHODZIC, Coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
I have a bit of frustration but no regrets. We prepared our tactics, controlled situations and played a wonderful match. Our physical condition was improved at this second match and we could do what we were supposed to do for 60 or 70 minutes. In the second half, maybe we should have sent on more fresh players, but after we had it tied, we had to change our plan a little bit. Especially Honda and Kobayashi had special roles assigned to them at the opponents’ free-kicks. Free-kicks were the only thing we regarded as dangerous, so we put Maruyama there to take care of it.

The opponents are the champions in Asia, so you can’t take too big a risk against them. I congratulated my players and told them to keep practicing hard and get a starting spot at their respective clubs with their eyes on the next training camp. Four points out of two matches is something we should be satisfied with. Considering the number of chances, we had for ourselves though, we deserved a win.

FW #4 HONDA Keisuke (AC Milan/Italy)
We never tried having just one striker before, so I prepared myself as I tried to organise what I would be able to do, without being too greedy. Speaking of the assist, I am satisfied with it, because I think I showed my strength there. But overall, there are many things we need to correct. For next match, even though I may not get to play in matches for my club, I want to do extra amount of practice and come back in a better shape than I would be playing in matches.

MF #8 HARAGUCHI Genki (Hertha BSC Berlin/Germany)
The goal was scored exactly how I wanted and how my coach repeatedly expected from me. I could shoot it so calmly that I was able to pay attention to the goalkeeper until the last moment. It was good that it went in. The goal we allowed was my mistake. Everyone else was playing without any mistakes and it’s not acceptable for me to do it like that.

DF #20 MAKINO Tomoaki (Urawa Red Diamonds)
Our coach told that left full-backs should start playing with more focus on defence than offence and that they should control Haraguchi and Kagawa in order not to panic when the opposing players switch positions. I didn’t want to be seen just as a substitute, so I tried to show what I could do as well and outplay with my height and defence.

ANGE POSTECOGLOU, Coach of Australia National Team
The way we started off was not good and we easily conceded a goal. Then we lacked aggressiveness and couldn’t break down the opponents, which all together wasted the first 45 minutes. I am disappointed. Japan were different from how I expected they would be and from the past matchups. They were disciplined and defensive. Getting one point on the road is not bad for them.

TASHIMA Kohzo, President of the JFA
We played well enough for us to win, but it was good that we got one point on the road.

Schedule

*Local Time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.