Match preview
Here’s a run down of the facts and figures ahead of this match, thanks to our friends at Stats Perform.
And here’s how the two sides match up across all of Asian qualifying so far.
Pre-match drama for Socceroos
The Socceroos have had less-than ideal preparation for tonight’s match.
A traffic accident on the freeway has led to a two-hour delay in the Socceroos actually arriving at the Saitama Stadium.
Japan did, according to Paramount Plus, request that the match kick off be delayed, but they gave no update on whether that would be granted by AFC officials.
Japan line up
Here is how the hosts line up.
Just two changes for Japan following their 2-0 victory in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
Wataru Endo and Daichi Kamada drop out of the side, replaced by Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka and right-sided Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo.
Socceroos make major changes
Here’s how the Socceroos line up against Japan today.
No fewer than SIX changes from the starting XI who beat China in Adelaide.
Jason Geria starts in place of Thomas Deng at the back, and Cam Burgess gets the nod over Kye Rowles.
In midfield, Jordy Bos starts, as does Luke Brattan and Ajdin Hrustic.
Riley McGree, who was excellent when he came on at half time in Adelaide, also starts this time around, as Nestory Irankunda and Craig Goodwin drop to the bench.
What time is kick off?
It’s a bit of a late one tonight.
A 7:35pm kick off local time means a 9:35pm AEDT.
So that means…
- 9:35pm in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT.
- 9:05pm in South Australia.
- 8:35pm in Queensland.
- 8:05pm in the Northern Territory.
- 6:35pm in Western Australia.
Socceroos take on Japan
Good evening football fans and welcome to the ABC Sport live coverage of the Socceroo’s tough World Cup qualification test against Japan in Saitama.
The Socceroos come into this game off the back of a much-needed, confidence-boosting victory over China at Adelaide Oval last Thursday.
But this is going to be a different test entirely, an in-form Japan team that has scored 14 goals without reply in their last three qualification matches, backed by around 60,000 passionate supporters.
My name is Simon Smale and I’ll be guiding you through all the action as it happens over there in Saitama – I’m glad that you’ve joined me.
