Socceroos secure valuable FIFA World Cup qualifying point but late mistake costs history-making victory

A late mistake in defence has denied Australia a history-making win in Japan, a dour contest at Saitama Stadium ending 1-1.

A pair of own goals were all the sides could muster as the Socceroos nabbed a priceless point on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The result keeps the Aussies in contention to claim the second seed in Group C, and an automatic qualification slot with China, Indonesia, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia still to play.

Australia hadn’t had a shot on target when, with just over half an hour to play, a loose cross from Lewis Miller found Japanese defender Shogo Taniguchi’s boot as he attempted to clear the ball.

But the ball took a distinctively golden deflection, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the turf as it found the back of the net, giving Australia a one-goal advantage.

It was also the first goal the Blue Samurai has conceded in this qualifying cycle.

However, the Japanese upped the ante as the home support lifted to deafening levels, forcing a mistake from Cameron Burgess and the Australian’s dogged defence in the 76th minute.

However, it continues a promising start for fresh head coach Tony Popovic, who guided the Socceroos to a 3-1 win over China in Adelaide in his international management debut after Graham Arnold resigned following a shocking start to the third round of World Cup qualification.

Australia achieved a famous victory over the Blue Samurai at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany but has failed to break through against the Asian powerhouses since 2009.

Australia remained firm in defence through the first half, keeping the talented Japanese side to just one shot on target, taking confidence into the break.

Japan made the counter-attack their one-wood, ensuring the Australian defenders never had a second to switch off.

The visitors rarely looked threatening, but as a raucous Saitama Stadium beat the drums, the home team felt the pressure of unexpectedly falling behind, having belted China 7-0, hammered Bahrain 5-0 and beat Saudi Arabia 2-0.

But they found their own slice of luck, eventually overstretching Australia’s defence with Ipswich Town defender Burgess recording an own goal to level the scores.