Date: October 15, 2024
Venue: Saitama Stadium, Saitama, Japan
Final Score: Japan 1-1 Australia
In the latest FIFA World Cup 2026™ AFC Qualifiers, two footballing giants from Asia, the Japan National Football Team and Australia Football Team, clashed in an exciting Group C encounter at the prestigious Saitama Stadium. Both teams have a long-standing rivalry, with Japan enjoying a slight upper hand historically. This match marked yet another intriguing chapter in their rivalry, with both teams coming into the fixture with high stakes: Japan aiming to solidify their position at the top of Group C, and Australia hoping to climb further up the table.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with both sides benefitting from own goals, making it an unpredictable and tense affair. Despite Japan dominating possession and creating more chances, Australia defended resiliently and left Saitama with a valuable point.
Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team Head to Head Comparison
| Teams | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| Japan | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Australia | 0 | 5 | 3 |
This encounter continued Japan’s unbeaten streak against Australia in recent qualifiers, with the Socceroos unable to find a win in their last several meetings.
Previous Meetings:
- Japan 1-1 Australia (Round Three, 2024)
- Japan 2-0 Australia (2022)
- Japan 2-1 Australia (2022)
Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team Lineups
Japan (3-4-2-1)
- Goalkeeper: Zion Suzuki
- Defenders: Shogo Taniguchi (OG, 58′), Kou Itakura, Koki Machida
- Midfielders: Hidemasa Morita (C), Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino (70′), Daichi Kamada (70′), Ritsu Doan (62′), Ao Tanaka, Takefusa Kubo (70′)
- Forward: Ayase Ueda (83′)
Substitutes:
Keisuke Osako, Kosei Tani, Yukinari Sugawara, Henry Mochizuki, Ayumu Seko, Joel Chima Fujita, Daichi Kamada (70′), Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, Keito Nakamura (70′), Junya Ito (62′), Koki Ogawa (83′)
Manager: Hajime Moriyasu
Australia (3-4-3)
- Goalkeeper: Joe Gauci
- Defenders: Jason Geria, Harry Souttar, Cameron Robert Burgess (OG, 76′)
- Midfielders: Lewis Miller, Keanu Baccus (82′), Jordan Bos (73′), Aziz Behich (73′), Luke Brattan (45′), Patrick Yazbek (45′)
- Forwards: Ajdin Hrustic (88′), Craig Goodwin, Riley McGree, Mitch Duke (73′)
Substitutes:
Mathew Ryan, Paul Izzo, Thomas Deng, Kye Rowles, Aziz Behich (73′), Patrick Yazbek (45′), Keanu Baccus (82′), Nishan Velupillay (73′), Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Nestory Irankunda, Daniel Arzani, Craig Goodwin (88′)
Manager: Tony Popović
Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team First Half
The opening half of the Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team match saw few clear-cut opportunities. Japan controlled much of the ball, relying on intricate passing and relentless pressing, while Australia looked to counterattack. Despite Japan’s superior possession, they struggled to break through Australia’s defense. Both teams committed a series of fouls, disrupting the game’s flow.
- Key Moments:
- 7′ – Mitchell Duke (Australia) had the first real attempt, but his shot went wide.
- 27′ – Shogo Taniguchi (Japan) came close, heading over from a corner.
- 45′ – Halftime Score: 0-0, with neither side able to take control of the scoreboard.
Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team Second Half
The second half saw much more action as the game opened up. Japan’s persistence paid off initially, but it was Australia who took the lead, albeit through an own goal.
- 58′ (Goal): Australia took the lead after a defensive mishap. Shogo Taniguchi of Japan inadvertently turned the ball into his own net from a Lewis Miller cross, giving Australia a 1-0 advantage.
- 70′ (Substitutions): Japan made two crucial changes, bringing on Keito Nakamura and Daichi Kamada to increase their attacking options.
- 76′ (Goal): Japan found their equalizer through an own goal by Cameron Robert Burgess. Keito Nakamura’s dangerous cross from the left was turned in by Burgess under pressure.
As the match wore on, both teams had chances to win it, but solid defending and key saves from both goalkeepers kept the scoreline intact.
Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team Full-Time Score: 1-1
Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team Stats
| Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team Stats | Japan | Australia |
| Possession (%) | 62 | 38 |
| Shots (on target) | 18 (7) | 6 (2) |
| Corners | 10 | 2 |
| Fouls | 14 | 17 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 4 |
| Own Goals | 1 | 1 |
Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team Timeline
Second Half
- 90’+6′: Corner for Japan. Junya ITO takes the corner.
- 90’+4′: Cameron Burgess (Australia) is booked for a foul.
- 90’+4′: Foul by Cameron Burgess.
- 90′: Foul by ITAKURA (Japan).
- 89′: Craig GOODWIN (Australia) is booked for a foul.
- 89′: Foul by GOODWIN (Australia).
- 88′: Substitution for Australia: Craig GOODWIN is replaced by Ajdin HRUSTIC.
- 87′: Foul by Junya ITO (Japan).
- 83′: Substitution for Japan: Koki OGAWA is replaced by Ayase UEDA.
- 82′: Substitution for Australia: Keanu BACCUS is replaced by Lewis MILLER.
- 80′: Patrick YAZBEK (Australia) is booked for a foul.
- 80′: Foul by Patrick YAZBEK (Australia).
- 78′: Corner for Japan. Junya ITO takes the corner.
- 78′: Patrick YAZBEK (Australia) blocks the shot.
- 76′: Own goal by Cameron Robert Burgess (Australia). Japan leads 1-0.
- 74′: Corner for Japan. Junya ITO takes the corner.
- 73′: Substitution for Australia: Aziz BEHICH is replaced by Jordan BOS.
- 73′: Substitution for Australia: Nishan Velupillay is replaced by Mitch DUKE.
- 71′: The goalkeeper of Australia makes a save.
- 70′: Substitution for Japan: Keito Nakamura is replaced by Takefusa KUBO.
- 70′: Substitution for Japan: Daichi KAMADA is replaced by Takumi MINAMINO.
- 67′: Foul by ITAKURA (Japan).
- 66′: Foul by Jordan BOS (Australia).
- 65′: Foul by Takumi MINAMINO (Japan).
- 64′: The goalkeeper of Australia makes a save.
- 62′: Hidemasa MORITA (Japan) attempts a shot on goal.
- 62′: Substitution for Japan: Junya ITO is replaced by Ritsu DOAN.
- 61′: Jordan BOS (Australia) is booked for a foul.
- 61′: Foul by Jordan BOS (Australia).
- 61′: Corner for Japan. KUBO takes the corner.
- 58′: Own goal by Shogo TANIGUCHI (Japan). Australia equalizes 1-1.
- 57′: Takumi MINAMINO (Japan) attempts a shot on goal.
- 56′: Foul by Koki MACHIDA (Japan).
- 48′: Foul by Kaoru MITOMA (Japan).
- 45′: Substitution for Australia: Patrick YAZBEK is replaced by Luke BRATTAN.
Start of Second Half
First Half
- 41′: Foul by Ayase UEDA (Japan).
- 38′: Foul by Luke BRATTAN (Australia).
- 36′: Foul by ITAKURA (Japan).
- 34′: Takumi MINAMINO (Japan) attempts a shot on goal.
- 34′: Corner for Japan. KUBO takes the corner.
- 34′: Geria (Australia) blocks the shot.
- 32′: Foul by ITAKURA (Japan).
- 27′: Shogo TANIGUCHI (Japan) attempts a shot on goal.
- 27′: Corner for Japan. KUBO takes the corner.
- 26′: Corner for Japan. KUBO takes the corner.
- 25′: Foul by SOUTTAR (Australia).
- 23′: Foul by Ayase UEDA (Japan).
- 23′: Ao TANAKA (Japan) attempts a shot on goal.
- 22′: Corner for Japan. KUBO takes the corner.
- 15′: The goalkeeper of Australia makes a save.
- 15′: Corner for Japan. KUBO takes the corner.
- 10′: Foul by Kaoru MITOMA (Japan).
- 7′: Mitchell DUKE (Australia) attempts a shot on goal.
- 6′: Foul by Kaoru MITOMA (Japan).
- 6′: KUBO (Japan) attempts a shot on goal.
- 3′: Foul by Riley McGREE (Australia).
- 3′: Foul by Ajdin HRUSTIC (Australia).
Both teams pushed for a winner in the final minutes, but neither side could find the crucial second goal.
Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team Key Player Achievements
- Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team Man of the Match: Takefusa Kubo (Japan) – His creativity and dangerous deliveries caused constant problems for the Australian defense.
Impact on Points Table
| Group C Standings | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1. Japan | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 1 | +14 | 10 |
| 2. Australia | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 5 |
Japan remains undefeated and top of Group C, while Australia climbs to second, securing a crucial point on the road.
The Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team matchup lived up to the hype, offering moments of drama and tense football. Both sides will leave the Saitama Stadium with mixed feelings, as Japan extended their unbeaten run but missed out on a win, while Australia gained a crucial away point. The 1-1 draw keeps the group stage competitive, with both teams eyeing qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
FAQs
Q1: Who scored the goals in the Japan vs Australia match?
A: Both goals were own goals. Shogo Taniguchi (Japan) scored an own goal in the 58th minute, and Cameron Robert Burgess (Australia) scored an own goal in the 76th minute.
Q2: How did Japan perform in the second half in the Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team match?
A: Japan dominated possession and created several chances, equalizing through an own goal and nearly winning the game in the closing stages.
Q3: Who was the Man of the Match in the Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team match?
A: Takefusa Kubo (Japan) was the standout player, providing dangerous deliveries and maintaining control in midfield.
Q4: What impact did this result have on the group standings in the Japan National Football Team vs Australia Football Team match?
A: Japan remains at the top of Group C with 10 points, while Australia moves to second with 5 points. Both teams are well-positioned for the next phase of the qualifiers.
