🏏 Tue, 15 Oct 2024 19:35 JST
Japan
vs
Australia
3-4-2-1 vs 3-4-3
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- The fourth match of the Asian final qualifying round. Japan top the group with nine points from three straight wins. They have won every game without conceding, against China (7-0), Bahrain (5-0) and Saudi Arabia (2-0), and will be looking to keep that unbeaten run going against Australia.
- Takefusa Kubo returns to the starting lineup. He forms the two shadow strikers with Takumi Minamino, supporting lone striker Ayase Ueda. Kaoru Mitoma and Ritsu Doan come in at full-back, with Japan showing an attacking intent in a 3-4-2-1 system.
- At the base of midfield, the pairing of Ko Watanabe and Ao Tanaka controls the game. Tanaka has been a regular in the German second division at Dusseldorf and provides stability through his combination with Watanabe in the national team too.
- Australia adopt an attacking 3-4-3 system, challenging Japan's defence with a front three of McGree, Duke and Arzani. In midfield, Irvine acts as the fulcrum of both attack and defence, bringing his experience at Celtic to the national team.
- Japan's defence is a back three of Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura and Koki Machida. The question is how the solid defence, marshalled by 34-year-old veteran Taniguchi and made up of European-based players in Bournemouth's Itakura and Union Berlin's Machida, can shut down Australia's attack.
- Held at home at Saitama Stadium, this clash with rivals Australia carries special meaning for Japan. The two nations have produced evenly matched contests in past meetings, and the question is whether Japan can maintain their fine momentum from this campaign.
- On the bench are capable players such as Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada and Koki Ogawa, expected to serve as game-changers depending on how the second half unfolds. Ito in particular has been getting consistent game time at Stade de Reims, and will be tasked with breaking down the opposition using his pace.