Overview

• Aziz Behich pounced on Riley McGree’s cutback in the 90th minute to deliver a 1-0 victory and edge Australia closer to World Cup qualification.
• The win ended a 16-year drought against Japan, marking Australia’s first triumph over the Samurai Blue since 2009.
• Japan’s experimental squad controlled over 70% possession at Optus Stadium but managed only one shot on target before conceding the late goal.
• Alessandro Circati returned from a 2024 ACL injury to bolster Australia’s defense in front of a sell-out crowd of 57,226.
• Australia will secure automatic qualification if Saudi Arabia fails to defeat Bahrain and will face the Green Falcons in Jeddah on June 10.