Smash-and-grab for the Socceroos as they rack up valuable points in Japan | World Cup qualification 2026

Just 22 days ago, on the day he was announced as the Socceroos' new coach, Tony Popovic made something very clear. Above all: “It's always OK to win ugly.” And while he may not have picked up three points in Saitama on Tuesday night, the 1-1 draw that Australia's men secured against Japan broke the perfect nine-game streak , nine wins and no goals conceded for the Samurai Blue. This point in the World Cup qualification definitely felt like it. And after securing it without firing a single shot at the target, it was this willingness to embrace the ugliness that manifested itself. A smash-and-grab into Saitama.

“It wasn’t pretty,” said Mitch Duke, who scored Australia’s only shot on goal of the game with a wayward header in the 12th minute. “And we knew we had to just lock in, do the defensive work and the dirty work and really compete physically.”

Just before the hour, just after the hosts had fired the final warning volley when Takefuso Kubo floated a ball toward the back post that Takumi Minamino headed into the side netting, Jason Geria headed a free kick from Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki that came back from there . With Lewis Miller given the rare opportunity to do something other than defend, the cross from the right didn't look particularly threatening, but that didn't stop Shogo Taniguchi from inexplicably slamming the ball into his net. 1-0 Australia. What!?!?!

Perhaps it is fitting that it was Japan themselves who broke a run of 868 minutes without conceding a goal in qualifying, such was their outstanding performance in that series. And ultimately it was a deficit that lasted just 18 minutes after the Australians scored an own goal of their own when Cameron Burgess' attempt to clear Keito Nakamura's cross instead went past Joe Gauci. But that one moment of luck proved enough of a buffer to give the Socceroos an away point that few had hoped for and even fewer expected.

In fact, pessimism about the Socceroos' chances had only increased before kick-off after a road accident on the road to Saitama meant they needed more than two hours to get from their hotel to the game and that they were at Arrived at 6:46 p.m., which meant 7:35 p.m. kick-off at 12:00 p.m. Both the JFA and FA requested that kick-off be postponed, only for the AFC to refuse, with the Australians only being granted five minutes more warm-up time.

And very quickly from kick-off it became apparent that the Japanese were not only faster than the Australians – both with and without the ball – but were also just as threatening when the tempo was slowed, manipulating their opponents with pauses and feints, that created space, there had previously been none.

These dangerous moments occurred most often when the Socceroos tried to break through the Japanese press, but their attempts quickly failed. Kubo often drifted inside to not only threaten when he got the ball at his feet, but also to increase the available space for players like Ritsu Doan and Minamino to exploit. Luke Brattan became the oldest player to make his debut in Socceroos history when he was named to the starting midfield line-up as one of six changes Popovic made, but unfortunately for him he failed to score against Asia's best midfield.

But while the Japanese were able to dominate possession and territory, the final killer attack or fatal shot either eluded them or was repelled. Outside the transition moments when it was all about breaking a deadlocked 5-4-1, they were repelled with more confidence. Aside from the own goal, Australia's defense was immense, refusing to give in to wave after wave of Japanese attacks and allowing just three shots on target and less than one expected goal during the game – Geria's first international start was a memorable one and Harry Souttar a tower of the Strength.

It was an ugly, ugly spot. Although Popovic was grateful for this, he said after the game that this was just the beginning and that his team would have to be better in the future if they wanted to beat Japan. But deep down he probably sees the beauty in it too.