The Subway Socceroos defeated Japan 1-0 in front of over 57,000 people in Perth to move one step closer to automatic qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
A late stunner from Aziz Behich in front of a sell-out crowd proved the difference as Australia defeated Japan in a Men’s ‘A’ International for the first time in 10 games and 16 years.
The result means that Australia need only avoid a five-goal defeat against Saudi Arabia next week to finish second in Group C, and therefore qualify for their sixth successive World Cup. Saudi defeated Bahrain 2-0 overnight to ensure qualification will go to the last match.
Head Coach Tony Popovic made three changes to the side that secured three points last time out against China PR. West Aussie Alessandro Circati and Connor Metcalfe returned from injury, while Aiden O’Neill slotted into midfield.
They replaced Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay, who were unavailable due to injury, and Jason Geria, who dropped to the bench.
Japan started on the front foot. They had large spells of possession early in the half, at times restricting Australia to less than 20% of the ball.
Despite their possession, the visitors had very few clear-cut chances. One of those came in the 28th minute, when Yuito Suzuki’s run from inside his own half resulted in a shot that flew wide of Mat Ryan’s goal.
Yu Hirakawa’s fearsome strike from the edge of the area later in the half also went wide – this time to Ryan’s right – and Daichi Kamada’s similar effort was deflected wide not long before half-time.
Australia’s best chance of the half came after consecutive set pieces. Martin Boyle’s free-kick took a deflection that resulted in Australia’s first corner of the game in the 32nd minute. The resulting Ryan Teague delivery found the head of Connor Metcalfe, but he was not able to steer the ball on target.
Popovic made two changes at half-time as he looked to shift the momentum of the game. Riley McGree replaced Martin Boyle, while Patrick Yazbek entered the field of play for Teague.
Australia started the half with intensity. Brandon Borrello won possession high up the pitch not long after the break but wasn’t able to fashion a clear-cut opportunity. Behich picked up the opportunity and fired wide.
The second 45 soon settled into a similar pattern as the first, however. Japan continued to dominate the ball but could not find the final ball of quality that they needed to pierce Australia’s disciplined defence.
The 68th minute saw two more changes for the Socceroos. Geria came on for Lewis Miller, while the experienced Mitchell Duke replaced Brandon Borrello up top.
Duke immediately made himself busy. He won a foul 10 minutes after coming on that led to an opportunity from a free kick, but the Socceroos were not able to capitalise.
Potential x-factor Daniel Arzani was introduced in the 80th minute, replacing Metcalfe.
Japan came agonisingly close in the next phase of play. The ball fell to Takefusa Kubo after Australia failed to clear their lines. Kubo had Ryan beaten, but his strike could only shave the outside of the post.
All it was going to take to break open the game was a moment of magic. Riley McGree and Aziz Behich provided it right at the end of regulation time.
A lovely turn from substitute Riley McGree saw him roll his defender and make his way to the byline. It looked as if his cutback would evade the Australian players streaming into the box. Enter Behich – the left-back arrived at the right place, and the right time, to curl a stunner into the right corner of the net. His first Socceroos goal in 13 years.
Attention now turns to next week's game in Saudi Arabia, where Australia know a repeat of Thursday night's defensive resilience should guarantee their ticket to next year's finals.
Match Summary
Socceroos 1 (Aziz Behich 90')
Japan 0
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Optus Stadium, Perth
Australia line-up: Mathew Ryan (GK); Lewis Miller (Jason Geria 68'), Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Cameron Burgess, Aziz Behich; Ryan Teague (Patrick Yazbek 45'), Connor Metcalfe (Daniel Arzani 80'), Aiden O’Neill; Martin Boyle (Riley McGree 45'), Brandon Borrello (Mitchell Duke 68')
Unused substitutes: Joe Gauci (GK), Paul Izzo (GK), Kai Trewin, Kye Rowles, Marco Tilio, Anthony Caceres, Adam Taggart
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Japan line-up: Kosei Tani (GK); Hiroki Sekine, Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Kota Takai 70'), Koki Machida (Ayumu Seko 45'); Kaishu Sano (Kodai Sano 64'), Joel Chima Fujita, Yuito Suzuki, Yu Hirakawa, Daichi Kamada (c), Kota Tawaratsumida (Keito Nakamura 64'), Ohashi Yuki (Shuto Machino 70').
Unused substitutes: Zion Suzuki (GK), Keisuke Osako (GK), Wataru Endo, Takefusa Kubo, Shunsuke Mito, Ryoya Morishita, Koki Kumasaka.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil