Socceroos v Japan LIVE: Australia chase vital World Cup qualifying win in Perth
What the Socceroos need to do to qualify
Roy Ward
The Socceroos can't qualify tonight but a win will all but assure them of second place in the group and a spot on the plane to North America in 2026.
Going into the last two games of the group C qualifying, Japan has locked top spot and a World Cup spot while Australia, Saudi Arabia and, mathematically, Indonesia but are chasing the second automatic berth.
The Socceroos are best placed to take second spot due to their record and their commanding nine-goal lead over the Saudis in goal difference.
Saudi Arabia plays Bahrain early on Friday morning.
Even if the Socceroos lose tonight and Saudis win both games, they will need two enormous goal-scoring efforts to get ahead of Australia on goal difference and they've only scored four goals in their previous eight qualifiers.
With some help from FIFA.com, here is how the scenarios for the Socceroos:
Socceroos make it if:
AUS beat JPN and SA lose or draw with BAH.
AUS draw with JPN, SA lose to BAH and IND lose to CHN.
If the Saudis and Australia both get the same result, their clash in Jeddah early on Wednesday morning will likely decide the group but both nations drop either or both game, then it will open the door for Indonesia to qualify in second place but they will need two wins and for Australia to lose both games
7.58pm
Will the Socceroos qualify for World Cup- and if so, when?
7.58pm
What the Socceroos need to do to qualify
By Roy Ward
The Socceroos can't qualify tonight but a win will all but assure them of second place in the group and a spot on the plane to North America in 2026.
Going into the last two games of the group C qualifying, Japan has locked top spot and a World Cup spot while Australia, Saudi Arabia and, mathematically, Indonesia but are chasing the second automatic berth.
The Socceroos are best placed to take second spot due to their record and their commanding nine-goal lead over the Saudis in goal difference.
Saudi Arabia plays Bahrain early on Friday morning.
Even if the Socceroos lose tonight and Saudis win both games, they will need two enormous goal-scoring efforts to get ahead of Australia on goal difference and they've only scored four goals in their previous eight qualifiers.
With some help from FIFA.com, here is how the scenarios for the Socceroos:
Socceroos make it if:
AUS beat JPN and SA lose or draw with BAH.
AUS draw with JPN, SA lose to BAH and IND lose to CHN.
If the Saudis and Australia both get the same result, their clash in Jeddah early on Wednesday morning will likely decide the group but both nations drop either or both game, then it will open the door for Indonesia to qualify in second place but they will need two wins and for Australia to lose both games
Socceroos fans will be hoping for a positive result and some pleasant news upon waking up on Friday morning but time will tell.
7.58pm
Good evening
Hello and welcome to our live blog for the AFC World Cup qualifier between the Socceroos and Japan.
I'm Jonathan Drennan and I'll be taking you through all the major moments as the Socceroos chase a win in their vital qualifier against rivals Japan who have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the winner of this group.
It's almost 20 years since Socceroo's star John Aloisi scored a crucial penalty in the playoff shootout in Sydney against Uruguay to send Australia to their first World Cup in 34 years.
Tonight in Perth, the Socceroos have the perfect opportunity to create another golden memory for Australian football fans.
Kick off is 9.10pm AEST, looking forward to this.
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