At the back left Aziz Behich scored a last-minute winner when Australia moved on the edge of the World Cup 2026 with a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday.
With time, Behich bounced on the cutback of Riley McGree and turned around the ball in the net to the joy of a crowd of 57,226 that had endured a difficult performance of the Socceroos.
Australia remains in second place in group C behind the already qualified Japanese and will continue to the final if Saudi Arabia in third place will not be defeated in the Riffa in Riffa.
Even if the later result in Bahrain goes against them, the superior goal difference of Australia means that they will continue to a sixth consecutive world cup with something that retains a tough defeat when they meet the Saudi in Jeddah next Tuesday.
“It's a great feeling,” said Behich. “It was a tough game. We knew we had to grind it. The boss said during the break no matter how difficult it will be, we get our chance if we stick to it. And luckily enough it fell for me.”
Australia – Japan Key Match Statsflash score
The first victory of Australia over Samurai Blue in 16 years and the first international loss of Japan since February last year seemed very unlikely until Behich struck.
Japan, who was the first country to qualify for the World Cup, rested most of their top players and played a team with three debutants, but still dominated, while Australia had trouble getting a foothold in the game.
Elaborated and starved from the ball, the socceroos won their first corner after half an hour, which resulted in their first shot, a tighter wide from Connor Metcalfe.
Despite all their possession, the Samurai Blue did not produce much in Mat Ryan in the goal of Australia, in which the new Cap Yu Hirakawa came closest to scoring with a low shot that flew past the post in the 37th minute.
Australian coach Tony Popovic made two changes during the break to try to get more possession, but his players continued to chase shadows while the young team of Hajime Moriyasu stroked the ball.
The Japanese still missed a front of the front, even after a little more experience came from the bank, and replacing Takefusa Kubo defeated Ryan but missed the target with a great opportunity in the 80th minute.
However, Australia never gave up and replacement midfielder McGree finally produced a moment of quality to turn his defender and come to the name rule before he pulled the ball back for Behich to score the goal.