[스포츠조선 김가을 기자]Australia looks downcast even before the start. The Australian national soccer team, led by coach Tony Popovich, will play the 4th game of Group C of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asia 3rd qualifying round against Japan at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan on the 15th.”); It is a clash between two powerful Asian teams. As of September, Australia is ranked 16th in the FIFA rankings, but the current situations of the two teams are 180 degrees different. Japan’s atmosphere is excellent, with 14 goals and no goals in the previous three games against China (7-0, home), Bahrain (5-0, away), and Saudi Arabia (2-0, away). In particular, breaking the nightmare of the trip to Saudi Arabia was a great achievement for Japan, as Japanese media outlet Sports Hochi said, It was reported that the first victory in Japanese soccer history was achieved in the enemy territory of Saudi Arabia.
Australia has experienced ups and downs. They remain in 5th place in Group C. Australia lost a shock 0-1 to Bahrain in the first game played at home. In the away game to Indonesia, we drew 0-0. Eventually, they parted ways with coach Graham Arnold, who had led the team, and appointed new coach Popovich. Australia clashed with China in the first match played under coach Popovich. Australia stumbled after giving up the first goal to China, but scored three goals later to win 3-1.
On the 15th, Japanese media outlet Sports Hochi said, ‘An Australian reporter said that Japan has no weaknesses. ‘Australia is expected to have a difficult game,’ the report said.
According to this media outlet, a reporter for Australian media SNTV said, “It hasn’t been long since Coach Popovich took office. In the game against China, there were parts that were left to the player’s autonomy rather than tactics. I think there was a bit more strategy in the game against Japan. Perhaps he went defensive and then counterattacked. It looks like Japan will win 3-1. The new coach is doing well, and the team atmosphere has not improved for 15 years. “Based on what has happened so far, Japan will have an advantage,” he said.
According to the Japan Football Association, Japan first clashed with Australia on November 27, 1956. In a total of 27 games, they recorded 11 wins, 9 draws and 7 losses (39 goals and 32 goals conceded). Japan is undefeated (6 wins, 3 draws) in the last 9 games against Australia. There has been no loss since the South African World Cup Asian final qualifier (1-2) held in June 2009. In particular, in the 2022 Qatar World Cup Asia final qualifiers, they won both games 2-1 and 2-0. Reporter Kim Ga-eul [email protected]
