Socceroos motivated by Japan rivalry
Socceroos past and present say Japan is the biggest rival we have.
And as Asia’s powerhouse nations prepare to battle again in Thursday’s cut-throat World Cup qualifier in Saitama, one of Australia’s current stars says the team has extra motivation to go to enemy territory and win.
Overall the record stands at seven wins for Australia, eight for Japan and nine draws.
But not once has Australia won in Japan, which is something vice-captain Mark Milligan (pictured left) said would be a huge achievement for his team next week.
Not least because of the state of the standings with two qualifiers remaining.
With just a point separating Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia in the battle for two automatic qualification slots, a loss in Saitama for either side could send it to the dreaded playoffs.
“So you speak about motivation, I don’t think anyone needs to motivate us for this game,” Milligan said.
“For a long time they’ve been very successful and in Asia they’re still probably viewed as the top dog and we definitely want that mantle.
“That’s why I think the rivalry is strong.”
Josh Kennedy has experience on both sides of the fence having spent six seasons at Japanese club Nagoya Grampus.
“We are their biggest threat to dethrone them in Asia as the No.1 team,” he said.
“The way we view them, as players, is that if we see ourselves as No.1 in Asia, we see them as No.2 ... and that’s probably how they see us.”