Match report

Australia Defeats Japan 1-0 in World Cup Qualification Asia

Australia
Australia
1–0
FT
Japan
Japan
Jun 5, 2025

Australia held off a spirited Japan to secure a critical 1-0 win in their World Cup Qualification Asia match, with Aziz Behich netting the only goal of the game in the 90th minute. The match was characterized by multiple substitutions on both sides, with Australia's late goal sealing their victory.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Australia 1–0 Japan
  • • Aziz Behich scored the winning goal in the 90th minute
  • • Australia made five substitutions throughout the match
  • • Japan also made five substitutions during the game
  • • R. McGree provided the assist for Behich's goal
  • • The match was played in the context of World Cup Qualification Asia

Lineups

Australia

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Ryan (G)
  • 23 A. Circati (D)
  • 2 M. Degenek (D)
  • 21 C. Burgess (D)
  • 3 L. Miller (M)
  • 13 A. O'Neill (M)
  • 17 R. Teague (M)
  • 16 A. Behich (M)
  • 6 M. Boyle (F)
  • 8 C. Metcalfe (F)
  • 11 B. Borrello (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 P. Izzo
  • 18 J. Gauci
  • 4 K. Rowles
  • 7 K. Trewin
  • 22 J. Geria
  • 5 A. Caceres
  • 14 R. McGree
  • 19 P. Yazbek
  • 9 A. Taggart
  • 10 D. Arzani
  • 15 M. Duke
  • 20 M. Tilio

Japan

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 23 K. Tani (G)
  • 2 H. Sekine (D)
  • 4 T. Watanabe (D)
  • 16 K. Machida (D)
  • 11 Y. Hirakawa (M)
  • 7 J. Fujita (M)
  • 5 K. Sano (M)
  • 20 K. Tawaratsumida (M)
  • 8 Y. Suzuki (F)
  • 15 D. Kamada (F)
  • 9 Y. Ohashi (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 Z. Suzuki
  • 12 K. Osako
  • 3 K. Takai
  • 22 A. Seko
  • 6 W. Endo
  • 17 R. Morishita
  • 19 K. Sano
  • 21 K. Kumasaka
  • 10 T. Kubo
  • 13 K. Nakamura
  • 14 S. Mito
  • 18 S. Machino

Timeline

  1. Japan
    46' Japan subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Koki Machida · On: A. Seko
  2. Australia
    46' Australia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Teague · On: P. Yazbek
  3. Japan
    64' Japan subst · Substitution 2
    Off: K. Sano · On: T. Kubo
  4. Japan
    64' Japan subst · Substitution 3
    Off: K. Tawaratsumida · On: K. Nakamura
  5. Australia
    68' Australia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Miller · On: J. Geria
  6. Australia
    68' Australia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: B. Borello · On: Mitchell Duke
  7. Japan
    70' Japan subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Watanabe · On: K. Takai
  8. Japan
    70' Japan subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Y. Ohashi · On: S. Machino
  9. Australia
    80' Australia subst · Substitution 5
    Off: C. Metcalfe · On: D. Arzani
  10. Australia
    90' Australia Goal · Normal Goal
    Aziz Behich · Assist: R. McGree

Match Stats

Stat Australia Japan
Fouls 8 13
Pass Accuracy 72% 89%
Offsides 0 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 6 13
Corners 1 8
Total Passes 298 640
Yellow Cards — —
Blocked Shots 0 7
Shots on Target 3 1
xG — —
Shots off Target 3 5
Possession 31% 69%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 215 570
Shots Inside Box 4 7
Saves 1 2
Shots Outside Box 2 6

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Australia's late goal by Aziz Behich in the 90th minute shifted the momentum and sealed the win
  • ▸ Multiple substitutions, including R. Teague and L. Miller for Australia, and Koki Machida and K. Sano for Japan, attempted to alter the course of the game