- The Socceroos drew 1-1 despite being the weakest
- The Australian team also experienced drama before the start
- Next in action against Saudi Arabia on November 14
The Socceroos won many fans after a tough 1-1 draw with Japan in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, but some Australian fans were furious to discover game-day coverage was not available on free-to-air television .
Channel 10 broadcast the Aussies’ recent 3-1 win over China PR in Adelaide, but only viewers who paid for the Paramount+ subscription service were able to watch Saitama’s live action.
‘It would have been nice if it had been broadcast free so I could have watched it. “You (the Socceroos) want our support, but we have to pay to watch the game,” raged one fan.
Another chimed in: ‘Why couldn’t we watch the Socceroos play Japan for free? Did I see us play in China a few days ago in the open?
Sports journalist Scott Bailey added: ‘World Cup qualifier behind a paywall.’ T20 World Cup behind a paywall. It’s not cool.’
However, some fans defended the decision to hand over streaming rights to Paramount, with one tweeting: “We’ve had Socceroos games blocked and hidden on Foxtel for almost 10 years.”
Additionally, X user Alex Mangovsky noted that live, free-to-air coverage of Socceroos away games had stopped “a while ago”.
The Socceroos won plenty of admirers after a gritty 1-1 draw with Japan in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night.
However, some Australian fans were furious to discover the TV coverage was only on Paramount+.
Other fans pointed out that many Socceroos games over the past 10 years have only been available on Foxtel, not free-to-air television.
In chaotic scenes, the Socceroos arrived at the field very late due to traffic (pictured, coach Tony Popovic)
On the field, the Socceroos sometimes chased shadows in front of the Samurai Blue and failed to get a shot on goal.
A monumental upset appeared on the cards when Shogo Tanaguchi turned the ball into his own goal just before the hour mark, only for Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess to do the same in the 76th minute.
Fans also witnessed chaotic scenes just before kick-off, as the Australians arrived very late to the field due to traffic, prompting some fans to call for the match to be delayed.
Coach Tony Popovic was happy with a share of the spoils, and attention now turns to Australia’s next qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne on November 14.
‘We had a lot of difficulties getting here. We were told it would take 90 minutes maximum. It took us two hours and fifteen, so it’s not ideal,” he said.
‘The result, of course, is good for us. ‘In the current situation, coming to Japan, it is the first goal they have conceded (in qualifying matches).
‘They are an excellent team that has been together for a long time. And we have done four training sessions together.’
If Australia had managed to hold on for a famous victory, it would have been their first victory on Japanese soil.
After four matches, Australia sit second in their group with five points, ahead of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on goal difference.
The two best teams in the group of six nations qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup.