Australia vs Japan: The 2022 World Cup Qualifiers continue as Australia play hosts to Japan in a vital Group B clash on Thursday in Sydney.
Match Details:
Teams: Australia vs Japan
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Australia
Date: Thursday 24th March, 2022
Time: 02:40 PM IST
Live Link: https://www.youtube.com/AFCAsianCup
Preview
Australia head into this after a 2-2 away draw against Oman in their previous Group B match last month.
Maclaren and Mooy scored for the Socceroos which cancelled out twin strikes from Fawaz. This point left Australia in 3rd place with 15 points and they look the likely side to end up at a play-off spot, which puts their WC hopes on the line.
With just a win from the last 5 matches, Socceroos are under pressure to deliver.
On the other hand, Japan continued their fine run with a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia last month.
Strikes from Minamino and Ito in the first half was enough to help Japan win their 5th successive clash.
They are in 2nd place with 18 points and look poised to book their ticket for the Qatar event.
Both sides last met in October, where Japan won 2-1 at home.
Form Guide
Australia: DWDDL
Japan: WWWWW
Last Matches of both teams:
Oman 2-2 Australia
Japan 2-0 Saudi Arabia
#WCQ2022 #AsianQualifiers Third Round
Group B | Matchday 8
(FULL-TIME) Japan 🇯🇵 2:0 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
——————–#asiabet33 #afn #AsianQualifiers pic.twitter.com/skLv4tWwRP— ASEAN Football News (@theafndotcom) February 1, 2022
Where to watch the live streaming and broadcast of Australia vs Japan in India?
The match can be live streamed on the AFC Asian Cup page on YouTube mentioned above.
Team News
Goodwin and Irvine have tested positive for Covid and miss out for the Socceroos. Rogic is a major doubt as well due to fitness reasons.
Osako and Sakal are the absentees for Japan due to injury while Maeda hasn’t joined up with the squad.
A few new faces and plenty returning for duty 💪
Here is Australia’s 25-player squad for our final two Group B #AsianQualifiers.
🇦🇺 v 🇯🇵 – Stadium Australia – 24.3.22, 8:10pm AEDT
🇸🇦 v 🇦🇺 – King Abdullah Sports City – 30.3.22, 5:00am AEDT#AsianQualifiers #AllForTheSocceroos pic.twitter.com/9MlNXSqVhO— Socceroos (@Socceroos) March 17, 2022
Australia possible 11:
Ryan, Karacic, Degenek, Sainsbury, Grant, Genreau, Jeggo, Hrustic, Boyle, Mabil and Maclaren
Japan possible 11:
Gonda, Nagatomo, Taniguchi, Yoshida, Yamane, Morita, Endo, Tanaka, Ito, Minamino and Hatate
Prediction: Australia 0-2 Japan
Japan is in fine form with 5 wins from their last 5 matches and looking ominous for more.
Meanwhile, Australia has won just 1 of their last 5 matches with 3 draws and a loss as well. From a position of strength, they seem to have slipped away.
Another loss could be detrimental in their Qualification chances and they might have to end up with a play-off spot.
We see the visitors winning this one comfortably.
