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Late own goal sees Socceroos battle to 1-1 draw against Japan in Saitama

时间:2024-10-16 08:44 来源:未知 作者:admin 阅读:
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By Simon Smale

  • Topic:Socceroos

  • Cameron Burgess turned the ball into his own net.

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    An own goal at each end of the pitch has handed the Socceroos a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Japan in Saitama.

    Japan defender Shogo Taniguchi turned a Lewis Miller cross into his own net on 58 minutes to give the Socceroos the lead without having had a single shot on target in the whole match — and just one attempt full stop.

    However, as Japan turned up the pressure, backed by over 63,700 spectators, Cameron Burgess powered the ball past Joe Gauci to level the scores in the 76th minute thanks to a devilish cross from livewire winger Keito Nakamura.

    Although the Socceroos professed some disappointment over the manner of the goal they conceded, defender Harry Souttar said it was a "good point" on the road.

    The Socceroos have never beaten the Blue Samurai in Japan, and it appeared all the cards were stacked against them even before kick off, when a traffic jam meant the Socceroos were stuck on the team coach for over two hours, arriving at the ground with barely half an hour to go before kick off.

    Japan officials asked the match commissioner to delay kick off, but that request was denied.

    "It is what it is," Socceroos captain Jackson Irvine said.

    "When circumstances are out of your control, it's simple, You just have to go and do it.

    "The boys rolled their sleeves up."

    Despite the frantic start and the disruption of six changes made by Tony Popovic to his starting line up, Australia started well, matching Japan early and looking to play the ball as much as possible.

    Jordan Bos made a lively run in the first half.

    However, it soon became apparent that Japan were too fast and precise on the ball, pegging the Aussies back with dangerous runs from wingers Takumi Minamino and Takefusa Kubo.

    However, despite the trickery on display from the home wide men, Australia's five-man defence nullified any Japanese raids and ensured that any shots on goal were comfortable handled by Joe Gauci.

    The second half followed much the same pattern, Japan blowing their best chance of the game as Minamino headed Kubo's cross wide.

    It was to prove costly, as moments later the Socceroos took a hugely unlikely lead thanks to Taniguchi's muddled attempt at clearing Millar's low cross.

    The Socceroos took an unlikely lead without even managing a shot on goal.

    The few Socceroos supporters in the stands were delirious — Australia had never won a single game against Japan in Japan, while the hosts were unbeaten in Saitama in eight years.

    However, it was too good to be true as Burgess was left powerless to do anything other than power another wicked cross from Nakamura into his own net.

    Japan continued to press, but the Socceroos held firm to win a valuable point on the road and maintain new coach Popovic's unbeaten start as Socceroos coach.

    "It was wonderful character in the group," Popovic told Paramount Plus.

    "We're happy with the result, of course. But we want to expect more.

    "We tried to play … [but] they win the ball back quickly. This was a huge test, but they hung in their the whole time. We were very resolute at the back.

    "We'll reflect on a good October window. In November, we want to play better."

    The Socceroos will next take on Saudi Arabia in Melbourne on November 14, followed by a trip to Bahrain on November 20.

    Look back on how all the action unfolded in our live blog.

    Key Events

    1. Full time: Socceroos draw with Japan

    2. 76' Goal Japan!

    3. 58' Socceroos score!

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