Japan – Australia 1:1 (October 15, 2024) Match analysis

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Australia missed a 1-0 lead over Japan thanks to a heartbreaking Cameron Burgess own goal but clung desperately to a crucial 1-1 draw in their crucial FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier in Saitama.

The Socceroos were on course to claim their first win over the Samurai Blue in Japan after a horror own goal from Shogo Tanaguchi in the 58th minute gave the Socceroos their most unlikely lead in front of 58,730 fans at Saitama Stadium.

Tanaguchi inexplicably tried to clear a cross from Lewis Miller with the outside of his right boot instead of using his left, and fired the ball past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

But 18 minutes later, Burgess slotted a Keito Nakamura ball into his own goal and the Socceroos had to defend desperately to retain their first point in Japan since 2013.

Australia has five points from its first four games and currently sits second in Group C behind Japan (10 points) pending further results – with the top two teams qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup.

The Socceroos return to action on November 14 in a major clash against Saudi Arabia at AAMI Park in Melbourne. After a late yellow card in Japan, Craig Goodwin is suspended for the duel.