JAPAN JUST TOO GOOD

AUSTRALA’S chances of making a fourth consecutive World Cup are hanging in the balance after suffering a damaging 2-0 loss to Japan at Saitama Stadium last night.

Japan took the lead in the 41st minute after Takuma Asano whipped home a perfectly executed cross, before a long-range rocket from Yosuke Ideguchi sealed the result nine minutes from time.

Having secured its first qualifying win against Australia in six attempts, Japan booked its spot at a sixth straight World Cup.

But what Australia’s destiny is remains to be seen.

Tied on 16 points with Saudi Arabia, the Socceroos remain third in Group B with a goal difference of +4, trailing the Saudis’ goal difference of +6.

The Socceroos must win and win big against lowly Thailand at AAMI Park on Tuesday night to give themselves their best possible chance of avoiding the dreaded playoffs later this year. Saudi Arabia hosts Japan in Jeddah on Wednes- day morning, Australian time. An Aussie win against the Thais means the Saudis have to beat Japan and then again surpass our goal difference.

But the Green Falcons will know exactly how many goals they need to win by.

Ange Postecoglou was dealt a blow yesterday morning when Huddersfield star Aaron Mooy was ruled out through illness. Without the key midfielder it took the visitors six minutes to get their first solid stint on the ball, but after that it was mostly one-way traffic.

By the 25-minute mark Australia had registered 70 per cent possession and, when on the ball, it was clear the instruction from Japan’s bench was to sit off.

The tactics worked too, as was the case for the first half in Melbourne when these teams met last year.

The unseasonably cool 21C conditions were perfect for a high-tempo pressing game, but the Socceroos weren’t given the opportunity to implement it by the Samurai Blue.

In the 38th minute Australia went desperately close to taking the lead after a goalbound Mat Leckie shot took a wicked deflection, only to hit the post. Three minutes later they found themselves behind after Asano found he was left inexplicably free on the pen- alty spot. Yuto Nagatomo, under pressure from Leckie, was able to still swing in a pinpoint right-footed cross that caught the defence out.

Tim Cahill came on in the 70th minute, but he could only watch on as Ideguchi lashed the ball into the top corner.