History says the Socceroos can’t beat Japan in Saitama.
And they will have to overcome more than just history if they are to kickstart their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Japan has won 20 of its past 22 games, including all three of its qualifiers to date — scoring 14 goals across those three victories.
Australia has never beaten the Samurai Blue in Japan, and last claimed a win full-stop back in 2009, at the MCG.
But fresh off beating China in Adelaide, there is a new-found confidence in the Socceroos camp.
Lewis Miller scored his maiden international goal against China. (Getty Images: Maya Thompson)
“We always believe we can do it,” midfielder Jackson Irvine said.
“That’s one of the foundations of this team, is the belief we have in each other and the capabilities that we have, especially in the toughest moments.
“And this is a tough moment — we’re playing against probably one of the most in-form teams in world football, let alone Asian football, with players playing at the top of their game all across the world, and we know that we have to be at our absolute best.
“We’re in the start of something new, but the signs were already there the other night that when we get it right, we can be a really tough team to play against.”
Irvine, who wore the captain’s armband against China after goalkeeper Maty Ryan was dropped for Joe Gauci, will have a crucial role to play.
Shutting down Liverpool star Wataru Endo and midfield partner Hidemasa Morita will be crucial to determining the outcome of the game.
“Of course Wataru is one of the top midfielders, but I think even you would say Morita is probably the more in-form player at the moment with the goals he scored already this season and the level that they’re playing at,” Irvine said.
“Even for myself, it’s potentially going to be a huge individual test coming up against players like that — but again, not something we haven’t done in the past and overcome.
“So these are the moments, and you’ve got to rise to the biggest challenges and show what you’d be capable of.”
Irvine is wary of showing too much respect, too.
“You’ve got to be perfect. You have to be,” he said.
“They’ve got so many different ways to score goals. They’ve got individual quality, they’re good in transition, they’ve got pace, they’ve got creativity.
“But we have all of those things as well.
“If you just try and defend them, that’s not the way this team wants to play — and I don’t think that’s the way you’re going to get a result against a team like this.
“You’re going to have to be brave with the ball and trust that we’ve got enough quality to hurt them as well.”
Even a draw would be a sensational result, while a win would be among Australia’s greatest-ever efforts — and three points would be huge for hopes of direct qualification.
“We’re not too worried about the big picture in that moment,” he said.
“But I think the momentum that it could bring, create a little bit of history when you’re starting something new, to do something that hasn’t been done before, would be an amazing way to kick that off and give everybody the feeling that we’re moving in in the right direction.”
AAP
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