Austrlalia vs Japan
24 March 0910hrs
Football – International – World Cup Qualification
Pick Draw
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 2/1 odds taken 2000 GMT, Tuesday 22 March
In the penultimate game of Asian World Cup Qualification, one of Australia or Japan can take a big step to ensuring automatic passage to this year’s finals if they can get victory here.
Table of Contents
Australia – Can Australia make home advantage count and take huge step towards Qatar?
It has been a hugely frustrating time for Australia and their hopes of qualifying for this year’s World Cup. Having started this phase with three straight wins but have managed victory in just one of their last five. It now leaves them up against it to finish in second spot and ensure themselves of one of the two automatic slots. To do so, they have to win both of their remaining games – which happen to be against the current top two. The Aussies will travel to face Saudi Arabia in their final qualifier after this game.
Despite trailing Japan by three points and having to play the group leaders away from home, what is in the Socceroos favour is their superior goal difference which could yet prove crucial.
Japan Preview – Will Japan continue their winning run and consign opponents to the playoffs?
Whilst their hosts had a fast start but have stumbled since, it has been the opposite for Japan. They lost two of their first three qualifiers including a hugely surprising 1-0 home loss against Oman. Considering the quality elsewhere in this group it looked like leaving them right up against it but they have recovered very well to be in command of their own destiny with two games left.
The Japanese will end their campaign with a home game against Vietnam which in all likelihood will be three points. Although they can’t think like that, a draw here would put them on the cusp of reaching the finals.
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Japan have been extremely economical in their games to date. Their eight qualifiers have seen them score nine goals and never more than two in any one game. Where they have excelled is in defence, keeping five clean sheets and never conceding more than a goal in any game. Unsurprisingly, they boast the best defensive record in this section.
On a similar theme, all four of their away games in this section have ended in a 1-0 score line with three of them in their favour and one against.
Australia vs Japan Betting Advice
It is a heavyweight clash in Asian qualification but the need for Australia is obviously greater in this match. Arnold knows that anything less than a win and it is almost certain that they will have to content themselves with a playoff against one of the CONCACAF teams.
Japan were victorious when the teams met last year, winning 2-1. It extended their dominance in this fixture which sees them now unbeaten in their last eight meetings. Australia’s last win against them was all the way back in 2009.
Key Facts – Australia vs Japan Betting Tip
- Australia have won just one of their last five in this qualification campaign (4-0 against Vietnam)
- All three of Japan’s away wins in this section have been by a 1-0 score line
- Japan were 2-1 winners when the teams met in Saitama back in October
The absence of Rogic in a game that Australia need to win does not bode well for the hosts. Japan will be only too happy to soak up pressure and rely on their excellent defensive record. Japan have yet to draw a game in this group but this will be a valuable point.
Best Betting Odds for Australia vs Japan
