- Australia and Japan tied 1-1 on Tuesday night
- ‘Farmic’ scenes unfolded before the game
- An own goal in the second half prevented Australia from winning
The Socceroos let a 1-0 lead over Japan slip away thanks to a heartbreaking Cam Burgess own goal, but held on desperately to earn a crucial 1-1 draw in their decisive World Cup qualifier in Saitama.
Australia were on course for their first win over the Samurai Blue in Japan after a Shogo Tanaguchi own goal in the 58th minute gave the Socceroos the unlikeliest of leads in front of 58,730 fans at Saitama Stadium.
Inexplicably, Tanaguchi tried to clear a Lewis Miller cross with the outside of his right boot instead of using his left, and it beat goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
But 18 minutes later, Burgess put a Keito Nakamura ball into his own goal, and the Socceroos had to defend desperately to hold on for their first point in Japan since 2013.
But some had questioned on social media why the match had not been delayed, after the Soccerroos were late arriving at the stadium.
The Socceroos were held to a 1-1 draw by Japan on Tuesday night in their World Cup qualifier in Saitama.
Cameron Burgess’ own goal in the second half saw the Roos lose their lead after being the beneficiary of an own goal in the first half.
Tony Popovic’s side have five points from their first four matches and are currently second in Group C behind Japan.
Before the start of the match there had been a traffic incident on the motorway that left Tony Popovic’s team stuck in a traffic jam for more than two hours.
The team’s arrival was subsequently delayed, arriving just an hour before kick-off, and Australia had just 28 minutes to warm up before the match.
Paramount+ commentator Robbie Thomson provided an update on the game ahead of the match.
He told the broadcaster: “The match commissioner has refused to delay kick-off, despite the Japanese delegation’s request to say: ‘This is really not fair to the Australian team. “We don’t want to play this game if it’s going to be like this for them.”
“That appeal was rejected,” he added, before stating: “This is a crazy situation for such a crucial match.”
Journalist Vince Rugari took to X (formerly Twitter) to call the lack of a postponement “scandalous.”
“It’s absolutely outrageous that this match hasn’t been delayed. Despite the fact that Japan will probably crush us here, it’s totally outrageous. They warmed up in 30 minutes before the KO. The AFC has a lot to answer for… but, of course it never will #JPNvAUS.”
Considering the permutations of this game, several others online criticized the decision.
But there were controversial scenes even before the ball was kicked, with Australia arriving late at the stadium and having just 28 minutes to warm up.
Some took to social media, including journalist Vince Rugari, to call the incident “scandalous.”
“The fact that Japan asked for a delay is the biggest joke,” one wrote in response.
Another wrote: ‘That the football players have 35 minutes from their arrival at the stadium to start the game is an absolute farce. The AFC even rejected Japan’s request to delay the match to be fair to Australia. Congratulations to Japan, but this has a 1-0 AUS victory, come on.
After the game, Jackson Irvine spoke out about the pregame delay.
“It is what it is,” he said. ‘When circumstances are out of your control, everything is simple: you just have to do it. I can’t say enough about all of our material because of the way they prepare us. “They gave us the best opportunity to perform tonight and we did.”
Had Australia maintained their lead, it would have been their first victory over Japan.
Australia has five points from its first four matches and is currently 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 in a big clash against Saudi Arabia at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on November 14.
After receiving a late booking in Japan, Craig Goodwin will be suspended for the clash.
