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Japanese and Australian fans alike would have
good reason to send messages of thanks to the United Arab
Emirates after the 2-1 victory over the Saudis in Al Ain
increased the likelihood of both their teams progressing.
The three-way battle for the top-two places in Group B that
bring with them direct qualification for Russia will still go
down to next week's final round of matches, when Japan go to
Saudi Arabia and the Socceroos host winless Thailand.
However, Japan's one-point cushion over the other two meant a
victory on Thursday would always have secured a sixth straight
trip to the finals, but now they can now afford a draw against
Australia and still progress by avoiding defeat in Jeddah.
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic has been under heavy pressure after a
stuttering campaign and Australia's Yokohama-based defender
Milos Degenek suggested this week that some in Japan would
prefer a Socceroos win on Thursday to get rid of the Bosnian.
If true, that is not likely to be the prevailing sentiment
inside the camp as the hosts plot a first World Cup qualifying
victory over the Australians in eight attempts.
Five of those have been draws and their last meeting, a 1-1
stalemate in Melbourne last October, was typical of the tight
encounters between the two in a rivalry that has intensified
since Australia joined the Asian confederation in 2006.
"I don't know how Australia are going to come at us but I think
we are going to be more offensive and aggressive than the last
away game against them," Japan defender Maya Yoshida told Kyodo
on Tuesday.
"I think we were a little bit too defensive last time but it's a
home game and we are ready and we are going to be more
aggressive."
While Halilhodzic has injury concerns over midfielders Shinji
Kagawa and Makoto Hasebe as well as forward Keisuke Honda,
Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has been robbed of his
inspirational captain Mile Jedinak for the last two qualifiers.
Postecoglou told a news conference on Wednesday the Saudi defeat
and the prospect of direct qualification with a match to spare
would not change much for the ambitious Socceroos.
"It's not just about qualifying for us," he said. "We want to
continue to evolve and become a really strong team to compete at
a World Cup and do well.
"If you can beat Japan at their home, it's a good indicator that
you're a strong team." (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney
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