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2018 World Cup qualifier: Socceroos v Japan, Etihad Stadium

Scott Spits

The Socceroos and Japan come away with one point each from a key qualification clash for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Aaron Mooy of the Socceroos
Aaron Mooy of the Socceroos Photo: Getty Images

FINAL:

Australia 1
Japan 1

Crowd: 48,460 at Etihad Stadium

ANALYSIS

Australia can breathe easy. Their first half was sloppy and it could have been worse than 1-0 at the break. They will be happy to walk away with one point. The Socceroos now have eight points from four World Cup qualification games. The next assignment is against Thailand away in November. They'll pencil that in as another big chance for the full allotment from an away game. 

FULL TIME

Australia 1 Japan 1. One point each. A degree of relief for both teams. Japan had the better chances and could have easily come away with three points. However, they also avoided heartbreak. For Australia, one point suffices after a horrid first half.

Corner to Australia

93' - One last chance for the Socceroos? .... Not well taken. Well over the back. Very little could be done with it.

Stoppage time

Looks like we're set for one point each. But stranger things have happened .....

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Oh, that was close ...

88' - Spiranovic gets a clean header but it's over the cross-bar! It was a clean connection. That would have been a superb winner.

Reaching a crescendo

'85 - Closing stages now. Tension building. Given Australia gave away an early goal, they'll take a 1-1 scoreline and another point towards World Cup qualification. However, home games do matter and another three points will go a long way on the road to Russia.

The Crowd Tonight

The official crowd tonight ... 48,460 fans packed into Etihad Stadium.

 

Lynchy's thoughts from earlier ... it has changed a little since Australia's equaliser, but the point was right

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WHAT A SAVE!

73' - Matt Ryan saves the day for the Socceroos. His diving outstretched right hand kept the ball out after a header from Shinji Kagawa

We're now beyond 70 minutes. This is crunch time. Australia has been immeasurably better in the second half. Suddenly they have movement and creativity. Australia 1 Japan 1

Tim Cahill comes on

69' - SUBSTITUTION

On: Tim Cahill
Off: Tomi Juric

Another substitution looms

Tim Cahill is pacing the sideline. Only a few moments now.

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61' - The complexion of the game has changed noticably. Suddenly the crowd is involved. Australia are creating chances and now look more dangerous.

Indeed, the moment that led to the penalty was one of Australia's more convincing moments.

Substitution

OFF: Apostolos Giannou
ON: Robbie Kruse

GOAL !!!!

51' - JEDINAK CONVERTS!!! No misake with the penalty kick. He shot to the right and it went into the back of the net. Nice and sweet. It's all equal again. Australia 1 Japan 1

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