Australia and Japan draw in World Cup qualifiers

The match between two highly rated opponents in Group B of the final qualifying round of the 2018 World Cup in Asia ended in a 1-1 draw.

Genki Haraguchi was the center of attention in the match that took place on the afternoon of October 11. The player currently playing for Hertha Berlin scored the opening goal for Japan in the fifth minute. However, in the 51st minute, he committed a foul in the penalty area, creating an opportunity for Mile Jedinak to equalize 1-1 for Australia. At the end of the match, the player wearing the number 8 shirt of Japan burst into tears of regret.

In the exciting match at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, the home team Australia's net shook in the fifth minute. Center back Trent Sainsbury made a mistake, mispassing the ball, creating an opportunity for Japan to quickly counterattack. Keisuke Honda stretched out to make a pass that bypassed the entire yellow shirt defense, allowing Haraguchi to run down and finish low past goalkeeper Ryan Macgowan.

Australia had the advantage of playing at home, with over 50,000 fans cheering them on. However, coach Ange Postecoglou's team played unconvincingly, stuck in front of Japan's crowded defense. In the first half, they had 67% possession but did not create any truly dangerous chances. Australia's only shot on target was a Mile Jedinak free kick in the 30th minute, but goalkeeper Nishikawa chose the right position and easily punched the ball away.

Genki Haraguchi (number 8) from hero to sinner of Japan. Photo: Reuters

Haraguchi was Japan’s best player in the first half. After the opening goal, he often made quick runs down the left wing, causing the Australian defense to falter. But in the second half, the player wearing the number 8 shirt went from being a hero to a villain.

In the 51st minute, while rushing back to support the defense, Haraguchu pushed Tomi Jurric down in the penalty area and the referee immediately blew the whistle for a penalty. On the 11m mark, captain Jedinak shot straight into the middle of the goal, equalizing 1-1 for Australia.

After Jedinak's equalizer, the two teams played an exciting game with many opportunities created. But no more goals were scored. With a 1-1 draw, Australia maintained its unbeaten record with eight points after four matches, Japan had one point less.

In the last six encounters, Australia has never tasted victory against Japan. Photo: Reuters

The final qualifying round of the 2018 World Cup in Asia has the participation of 12 teams: Iran, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Syria, China, Qatar (Group A), Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Japan, Iraq and Thailand (Group B).

The top two teams in each group will qualify directly for the 2018 World Cup finals. The third-placed teams will play each other in a home-and-away format. The winner will face the fifth-placed team in the CONCACAF region in two legs for a play-off spot to the world's biggest football festival in Russia.

According to VNE