Japan
Australia
 
World Cup Qualifiers R3
Saitama Stadium 2002
2017-08-31T10:35:00+00:00
Attendance
59,492
01:30
Japan too strong for Australia
00:27
Irvine: we struggled for answers
00:25
We missed an opportunity: Irvine
00:15
Japan open the scoring
02:25
Socceroos primed for WC Qualifier
00:21
Milligan happy with Australia’s prep
00:54
Ange: most nations ‘scared’ of Cahill
00:17
‘Socceroos excited by challenge’: Milligan
00:54
Socceroos punished for mistakes: Ryan
00:15
Leckie strikes the post
00:15
Sainsbury's epic goal-line stop
01:30
Caltex Socceroos beaten in Japan
01:31
FFA TV | Luongo: this one means more
00:59
Socceroos ready to seal World Cup fate
02:29
FFA TV | 'We know what's at stake': Troisi
02:13
FFA TV | Caltex Socceroos confident of Japan win
00:15
Ideguchi doubles Japan’s lead
00:55
Ange: destiny in our own hands
00:43
Socceroos will stick to Philosophy: Ange
00:59
Japan v Caltex Socceroos: five things to know
00:56
Ryan: we must regroup for Thailand
01:30
Japan too strong for Australia
00:15
Troisi's skill creates chance
01:06
Caltex Socceroos team walk
00:44
Socceroos want to dominate Japan
02:00
FFA TV | Socceroos prepared for Japan pressure
00:56
Ryan: we must regroup for Thailand
00:54
Socceroos punished for mistakes: Ryan
00:27
Irvine: we struggled for answers
00:25
We missed an opportunity: Irvine
01:30
Caltex Socceroos beaten in Japan
00:15
Ideguchi doubles Japan’s lead
00:15
Sainsbury's epic goal-line stop
00:15
Japan open the scoring
00:15
Leckie strikes the post
00:15
Troisi's skill creates chance
01:06
Caltex Socceroos team walk
02:25
Socceroos primed for WC Qualifier
01:31
FFA TV | Luongo: this one means more
00:54
Ange: most nations ‘scared’ of Cahill
00:43
Socceroos will stick to Philosophy: Ange
00:21
Milligan happy with Australia’s prep
00:44
Socceroos want to dominate Japan
00:17
‘Socceroos excited by challenge’: Milligan
00:55
Ange: destiny in our own hands
00:59
Japan v Caltex Socceroos: five things to know
02:00
FFA TV | Socceroos prepared for Japan pressure
02:29
FFA TV | 'We know what's at stake': Troisi
02:13
FFA TV | Caltex Socceroos confident of Japan win
00:59
Socceroos ready to seal World Cup fate

REPORT: Caltex Socceroos beaten in Saitama

Staff writer 1504169515,1512361839

A goal in either half has seen Japan edge out the Caltex Socceroos 2-0 in their FIFA World Cup qualifier in Saitama on Tuesday night.

Ange Postecoglou’s side enjoyed long periods of possession throughout the match but were unable to make it count against the Samurai Blue.

Takuma Asano and Yosuke Ideguchi scored the goals for the hosts as they guaranteed their spot at next year’s World Cup in Russia.

The Caltex Socceroos were without star midfielder Aaron Mooy through illness, while Tomi Juric could only start on the bench due to an injury which kept him from training all week.

After an even start, Mathew Leckie came within inches of the opener, controlling Massimo Luongo's lay-off before sending a deflected effort off the base of the left-hand post from the edge of the area.

Then five minutes before the break Asano broke the deadlock after Nagatomo clipped a fine delivery in from the left and the Japanese winger side-footed a simple volley past Mat Ryan.

Postecoglou introduced Juric in the second half as they began to push for a way back into the contest, while fellow substitute Tim Cahill came within inches of meeting a Robbie Kruse cut-back at the far post.

Trent Sainsbury made a brilliant goal-line block to deny Ideguchi a second but it proved in vain for Australia, as the 21-year-old cut inside from the left before rifling an unstoppable shot past Ryan and into the top corner from 20 yards out in the closing minutes.

Caltex Socceroos v Thailand banner

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