Focus on Japan for home-bound Socceroos

MUSCAT: With one point well earned in Oman, the Qantas Socceroos have put their stalemate in Muscat behind them to focus on the challenge of Japan at Brisbane Stadium on Tuesday.

MUSCAT: With one point well earned in Oman, the Qantas Socceroos have put their stalemate in Muscat behind them to focus on the challenge of Japan at Brisbane Stadium on Tuesday.

Only days ago, Japan overtook Australia as Asia-s top ranked team according to the FIFA World Rankings and, indeed, their qualification form to date suggests the challenge for the Qantas Socceroos in Brisbane will be a daunting one.

In back-to-back home matches, Japan have smashed three past Oman and six past Jordan, all the while conceding none to top Group B with maximum points after two match days.

“It-s going to be a great game, we-re going to need a vocal Brisbane crowd to help us lift from a little bit of fatigue and then go on to try and take maximum points in that game,” said Lucas Neill.

“I think it-s going to be a good one, Japan can go there now with no fear and try and increase their lead and obviously we-ll want to get to four points and hope the others drop a few more.”

The recent history between Australia and Japan virtually ensures another Asian classic at Brisbane Stadium.

The two nations have traded successes in recent years, with the Qantas Socceroos most notably posting their breakthrough FIFA World Cup win over Japan in Germany in 2006.

Conversely, memories of Japan-s AFC Asian Cup triumphs over Australia in 2007 and 2011 still sting for fans of the Qantas Socceroos.

“We know they-re a great team, they-ve had two home games and two great results for them of course,” said Luke Wilkshire.

“It-s going to be a completely different game for them and for us back in Brisbane.”

Tuesday-s fixture at Brisbane Stadium sees Australia host for the first time this qualification stage, with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer stressing the importance of the Qantas Socceroos making the most of their hometown advantage.

“For us, our home games are massively important,” said Schwarzer.

“We believe we should win all our home games, even though the distance and the travelling is going to be very tough for us.

“Hopefully the recovery time that we-ve got, even though it-s not great, hopefully we can maximise it and, who knows, maybe on Tuesday night we-ll be hitting the ground running.”

The Qantas Socceroos will host Japan in their first home fixture of the fourth stage of Asia-s FIFA World Cup qualification process on Tuesday, 12 June at Brisbane-s Suncorp Stadium. Kick off is at 8pm.

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