Australia on brink of World Cup after dramatic late winner

Straits Times

2 days ago

onnor Metcalfe of Australia controls the ball under pressure from Joel Chima Fujita of Japan during the World Cup qualifier. EPA-EFE
– Left-back Aziz Behich scored a last-minute winner as Australia moved to the brink of qualification for the 2026 World Cup Finals with a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on June 5.
With time running out, Behich pounced on Riley McGree's cut back and turned to lash the ball into the net to the delight of a crowd of 57,226 fans who had endured a laboured performance from the Socceroos.
Australia remain in second place in Group C behind the already qualified Japanese and will go through to the Finals if third-placed Saudi Arabia fail to beat Bahrain in Riffa later in the day – the result of that match was not available at press time.
Even if the later result in Bahrain goes against them, Australia's superior goal difference means that they will progress to a sixth successive World Cup with anything barring a heavy defeat when they meet the Saudis in Jeddah on June 10.
Teams that finish in the top two of the six-team group guarantee their automatic spot at the World Cup.
'It hasn't quite sunk in just yet but when that final whistle went it was a great feeling,' Behich said.
'It was a tough game, we knew we had to grind it out. The boss said at half-time that no matter how tough it gets, we will get our opportunity if we get to it. Fortunately enough it fell to me and my right foot.
'In a football sense, this is the best week (of my life). It has been a long campaign and we have worked so hard over this campaign. The group we have in this changeroom and the boys that come in every camp, the mentality is second to none.
'I think that we more than deserve to go to the World Cup again.'
Australia's first win over Samurai Blue in 16 years and Japan's first international loss since February last year looked highly unlikely for 89 minutes until Behich struck.
Japan, who were the first country to qualify for the World Cup, rested most of their top players and fielded a team with three debutants but still dominated possession as Australia struggled to get a foothold in the contest.
Outworked and starved of the ball, the Socceroos won their first corner after half an hour which resulted in their first shot, a glancing header wide from Connor Metcalfe.
For all their possession, the Samurai Blue produced little to trouble Mat Ryan in the Australia goal with new cap Yu Hirakawa coming closest to scoring with a low shot that flew past the post in the 37th minute.
Australia coach Tony Popovic made two changes at half-time to try and secure more possession but his players continued to chase shadows as Hajime Moriyasu's young team stroked the ball around.
The Japanese still lacked a cutting edge up front even after a bit more experience came off the bench and substitute Takefusa Kubo beat Ryan but missed the target with a great opportunity in the 80th minute.
Australia never gave up, however, and substitute midfielder McGree finally produced a moment of quality to turn his defender and get to the byline before pulling the ball back for Behich to score the goal.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu was disappointed with the loss even if it was of little consequence.
'Although many players with little experience played, they made the best preparations to play in our style, so it's very disappointing that the result didn't come to fruition in the end,' he said.
'I'm very disappointed that we couldn't deliver a victory... but time's not coming back. We'll do our best to prepare to win the next match at home and finish off the campaign.' REUTERS, AFP
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