Australia on brink of World Cup after dramatic late winner
In front of a sell-out crowd of 57,226 at Optus Stadium, the Socceroos were outplayed for long periods by an experimental Japan side.
But then substitute Riley McGree cut the ball back to defender Behich, who rifled a bullet into the corner for his first international goal in 13 years and trigger scenes of jubilation.
After beating Japan for the first time since 2009, Australia are on the cusp of next year's World Cup in North America.
'We know there's room to grow and room to improve, but we've done something special tonight,' coach Tony Popovic said.
Before the game the Socceroos had a three-point lead and a significantly better goal difference over Saudi Arabia with two matches left.
The win does not totally guarantee Australia's passage, with Saudi Arabia at Bahrain later on Thursday.
Australia then face the Saudis in Jeddah on June 10 in their final Group C match in the battle for second behind Japan.
Teams that finish in the top two of the six-team group guarantee their automatic spot at the World Cup.
After what had been a lacklustre performance for much of the game, Australia's last-gasp victory continued their turnaround since Popovic arrived in September.
'We've all played a part in getting us to this point,' he said.
'We want to go to Saudi Arabia and really finish the job off.'
After becoming the first team to punch their ticket to the World Cup, Japan coach Hajjime
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
'I wanted to see what they (the inexperienced players) could do against a strong opponent in very difficult circumstances,' Moriyasu said.
'We have to improve and expand our squad.'
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo started on the bench as Japan fielded three debutants in the starting line-up.
Crystal Palace's Daichi Kamada, playing his 41st international, was considerably their most experienced starter.
Japan completely dominated the first half with 21-year-old midfielder Kota Tawaratsumida impressing on his debut.
It was only a matter of time before Japan had a clear-cut chance, with Yuito Suzuki having an attempt from long range on the half-hour mark.
Japan continued to attack with debutant Yu Hirakawa firing just wide of the left post after beating outstretched goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.
The break arrived at a good time for Australia.
After being brought on in the 64th minute, Kubo curled past the right post, before Behich stepped up late with his priceless goal.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Maharaj's career-best 5-33 leads South Africa to a 98-run win over Australia
CAIRNS, Australia: Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj dismantled Australia with a career-best 5-33 as South Africa romped to a 98-run victory in the first one-day international on Tuesday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Maharaj made full use of spin-friendly conditions to help dismiss Australia for 198 with more than nine overs to spare after South Africa had earlier posted 296-8 — the highest ODI total at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns. Australia captain Mitchell Marsh made 88 off 96 balls and Ben Dwarshuis scored 33, but Maharaj had done enough damage in his unchanged spell of 10 overs to give the Proteas a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Travis Head (27) gave Australia an explosive start of 60-0 in the first seven overs when the left-hander smashed fast bowler Nandre Burger for five boundaries in one over. But in a dramatic turnaround, the home team lost six wickets — five to Maharaj — for the addition of only 29 runs as Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma turned to his slow bowlers inside the batting power play. Australia went from 60-0 to 89-6. Debutant off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen (1-46) had Head stumped off his seventh ball in ODIs before Maharaj removed five batters for single digits. Maharaj had Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey trapped leg before wicket while Cameron Green, Josh Inglis and Aaron Hardie were clean bowled off deliveries that spun enough to beat the bat. Marsh and Dwarshuis resisted with a 71-run stand but Lungi Ngidi (2-28) and Burger (2-54) wrapped up the tail quickly after Maharaj and Subrayen's impeccable spells. After losing the toss, three half centuries from the top four batters powered South Africa on a wicket where spinners ruled with part-time offspinner Head claiming 4-57, his second four-wicket haul in ODIs. Aiden Markram (82), Bavuma (65) and Matthew Breetzke (57) all scored 50-plus before Australia came back strongly in the death overs with Head claiming three of his four wickets in the last 10 overs. Ryan Rickelton (33) survived a number of close calls, including a dropped catch by wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, as he put on a 92-run opening wicket stand with Markram. Rickelton's luck ended when he holed out to Labuschagne at mid off that gave Head his first wicket. Markram looked set for his first century in the last 20 ODIs, but the right-hander played a loose drive against Dwarshuis and was caught behind in the 24th over. Bavuma, playing his first international since leading South Africa to victory in the World Test Championship final, struggled to get going but Breetzke found boundaries against Australia's third spinner Labuschagne. Breetzke raised his run-a-ball half century but just when it looked like South Africa would finish off well he top-edged a slog sweep against Adam Zampa to Hardie at deep square leg. Head then got the big wickets of power-hitter Tristan Stubbs and debutant Dewald Brevis in the space of three balls. Brevis smashed the spinner for a first-ball six in his ODI career before perishing off the next ball when he couldn't clear Carey at long off.
Arab News
10 hours ago
- Arab News
New boy Joao Felix fires 10-man Al-Nassr to Saudi Super Cup win over Al-Ittihad
LONDON: Joao Felix shone on his club debut as 10-man Al-Nassr defeated Al-Ittihad 2-1 in the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong on Tuesday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The forward, who joined the Jeddah side at the end of July from Chelsea, grabbed the second-half winner for his new team, who were reduced to 10 men after just 25 minutes when Sadio Mane was sent off. Before the red card, Mane had opened the scoring in fine fashion after just 10 minutes. Ayman Yahya freed Marcelo Brozovic down the left and the Croatian fired in a low cross from the byline. The ball was in the air and a little behind Mane but the former Liverpool star managed to lean back and volley it into the net from near the penalty spot, although goalkeeper Hamed Al-Shanqiti got his hands to the shot and should probably have kept it out. The advantage was short-lived, however, as the reigning Saudi Pro League champions hit back just six minutes later. Mario Mitaj carried the ball forward down the left and found Moussa Diaby inside the box. The French winger then slipped the ball back for Steven Bergwijn to slot home. New Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus soon faced a bigger headache nine minuted later when Mane was given his marching orders. The Senegalese attacker seemed to stamp on Al-Shanqiti as he went for the ball and, after the video assistant referee had a look, the Riyadh side were down to 10 men. Yet on the hour mark, it was Al-Nassr who took the lead once again. Cristiano Ronaldo broke free down the right, entered the area and, despite having only the goalkeeper to beat, the 40-year-old unselfishly side-footed the ball to Felix, and his Portuguese compatriot made no mistake from close range. Five minutes later, Felix fired home a rocket from the edge of the area, only for the goal to be ruled out because of a foul in the build-up. He came close once again when he rounded the goalkeeper, but hit the post from a tight angle. Al-Ittihad had almost two-thirds of the possession but could not get back into the game, and when Saleh Al-Shehri headed straight at the goalkeeper from close range in injury time, it was all over. With last season's Pro League runners-up Al-Hilal, who finished the season five points clear of third-place Al-Nassr, opting not to participate in this traditional curtain-raiser to the new campaign, after their exploits in the FIFA Club World Cup in the US over the summer, the second semi-final, on Wednesday, will feature fourth-placed Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ahli, who finished fifth in the league and are reigning Asian champions. The final will take place on Saturday.
Asharq Al-Awsat
13 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
F1 Series Leader Oscar Piastri Gets His Own Grandstand at the Australian Grand Prix
Formula 1 championship leader Oscar Piastri will be able to zoom past his own grandstand in next year's Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne's Albert Park. The Australian GP announced late Monday that the Piastri Grandstand would be located on the main straight, opposite pit lane. The 24-year-old Piastri, born and raised in Melbourne, leads the F1 championship this year with 14 of the 24 races completed. He placed second to his McLaren teammate Lando Norris at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Aug. 3. Piastri will join a number of other Australian drivers who have a grandstand named for them, including Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, Daniel Ricciardo and Mark Webber. "It feels very surreal, and I never thought this would happen, but the support is incredible and I can't wait to see it all come together next March," Piastri said. "Seeing all the fans in my own grandstand directly opposite the McLaren garage is going to be an amazing experience and I'm really looking forward to feeling the energy and the atmosphere." Piastri leads the F1 standings with 284 points with 12 podium finishes so far this season. He is followed by Norris with 275 points, also from 12 podiums. Defending champion Max Verstappen is third on 187 points for Red Bull, George Russell in his Mercedes is fourth on 172 and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc rounds out the top five with 151 points. The Australian GP will be held March 8, 2026.
