Key Match Australia vs Japan Extended Highlights Road to FIFA World Cup 2026

Now racing forward is Yuito Suzuki. Options right and left, he goes for goal himself. Well that's Japan's most dangerous moment yet. Yuito Suzuki could not quite find the finish. But Australia were worried. Alluding to the fact that Australia have been, not just second best, but in the two horse race, almost fourth best in the two horse race in trying to keep the ball. Offside there against Brandon Varela, leads to something meaningful for the Socorros. And quickly back in position and driving Australia back. But there's a foul though on Baich. One that clearly stung quite a bit. Free kick. Off it of Sakide and Australia have their first quarter. It's taken over half an hour. It's like a mosh pit in there at the moment. There's Teague's delivery in towards an air post. It did come off an Australian head. And well wide in the end. Connor Metcalf in clean contact on the ball. He breaks to move the edge of the six yard box. Nicely swung in by Ryan Teague. There's Ciccati who does play in one of the big leagues of Europe. With Parma in Italy's Serie A. Burgess let the ball get away from him. He says you hit a cower. They have a go here. That wasn't too far away. I think Matt Ryan had the angles covered. But it was close. That was Burgess. He lost control of that ball. It's a nice clean strike. I just wonder Andy. Half time approaching. I'm always assuming that it remains goalless. Tani Popovic looked to go to his bench earlier. He's got some players there that are comfortable on the ball. Under pressure. Likes of Caceres. Maybe Arzani. Here's Kamada meantime. Trying to fool Matt Ryan at the near post. But track the effort wide. Machida again waiting at the back post. Australia deal with the first phase. This is Yu Hirakawa. On target. Straight into the gloves of Matt Ryan. A couple of those efforts from outside the box. Yu Hirakawa. Yeah he hit the first one cleanly with his right foot. It's a poor clearance by Koso Tani. Here's Brenda Borrello. Just for a second. That mistake by the goalkeeper opened things up for the Green and Gold. The mistake could be circumstantial. But it certainly comes on the back of a way more positive start from Australia. Ryan Magritte breaking just to pressurise the goalkeeper. Aziz Beyic hasn't scored an international goal since he scored his only two against Chinese Taipei back in 2012. Way off beat with that one. Here come the Samurai Blue. Matt Ryan was already down to anticipate that effort from Kota Tawaratsubara. But his defence did the job for him. Kamada. First time by Seko for Nakabura. The first defender with ease and it's swept off the head of an Australian defender. It's sliding into the back post. Wazu Hirakawa. I think Cam Burgess is nutting that one away. The stage is his now and there's a big rumour that he might be about to move to Scotland with Marta Medlovi and out of contract with Melbourne Victory after the Grand Final. So a big shot window for him here. Defending to do first though for Australia. Top of the box, big chance here for Japan. Oh and it's just flash wide off the boots of Takafusa Kubo. That was a big moment. Matt Ryan was beaten but so too was the post. It was that close. Turned over the top by Suzuki. That's a couple of decent chances here for Japan. No Lewis Miller long throw to rely on now of course. And they find an opportunity here. Guerrilla. And that's a lovely turn. By Riley McGree, the cutback. There's his bait, he fluffed the right footer in the first half. But on the back of Grand Final heroics, it's now for his country. In she goes. Australia 1, Japan 0.