Live Australia vs Japan (6:10 p.m. June 5): Breaking the 16-year curse

TPO - In the past 16 years, after 10 matches, Australia has only known how to draw and lose to Japan. Will there be an important "break the curse" for them to advance straight to the 2026 World Cup?

World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Round 3 Australia vs Japan 6:10 p.m. June 5

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Line-up of the two teams

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Will Japan relax?

With Japan having already qualified for the World Cup, it is no surprise that coach Hajime Moriyasu has rested some of his stars, with only 13 of the 27 players selected in the March squad being named for this gathering.

While Japan (20 points) have already qualified for the World Cup, Australia (13 points) and Saudi Arabia (10 points) are in a fierce battle for the second spot. Theoretically, Saudi Arabia can still catch up with Australia in the remaining two matches.

That would be the case if they win against Bahrain and Australia and hope their direct opponents lose or draw with Japan in tonight’s game. But with home advantage, the Aussies will know how to avoid that scenario.

Ahead of the match against the Blue Samurai in Perth, experienced striker Taggart said the entire squad was looking forward to a win that would send Australia to a sixth consecutive World Cup finals.

“This is a chance to create something special,” he said. “This is a great chance to make history. But we have to be alert because it will be a very difficult game. We are up against a very strong team.”

Coach Popovic has similar thoughts. He wants his players to be calm, composed, and not afraid of Japan. "When the whistle blows, I have full confidence that the players will go out and play calmly, confidently, with the confidence to win," said the Australian coach.

"I think the team is maturing. We all see that, we know that the players will develop further, and it will be proven today against them."

Despite their confidence, coach Popovic and his players know that history is not on their side. Australia have not beaten Japan in 16 years. Since their 2009 victory, Australia have drawn six and lost four of their 10 meetings with the Blue Samurai. This is the team in Asia that the Socceroos are most desperate to win against. Can they quench their thirst at home?

Dang Lai - Tieu Phung

Source: https://tienphong.vn/truc-tiep-australia-vs-nhat-ban-18h10-ngay-56-giai-dop-16-nam-post1748634.tpo