Historical past says the Socceroos cannot beat Japan in Saitama.
And so they must overcome extra than simply historical past if they’re to kickstart their World Cup qualifying marketing campaign.
Japan has received 20 of its previous 22 video games, together with all three of its qualifiers to this point — scoring 14 objectives throughout these three victories.
Australia has by no means crushed the Samurai Blue in Japan, and final claimed a win full-stop again in 2009, on the MCG.
However contemporary off beating China in Adelaide, there’s a new-found confidence within the Socceroos camp.
“We all the time imagine we are able to do it,” midfielder Jackson Irvine stated.
“That is one of many foundations of this crew, is the assumption now we have in one another and the capabilities that now we have, particularly within the hardest moments.
“And it is a robust second — we’re taking part in in opposition to in all probability some of the in-form groups in world soccer, not to mention Asian soccer, with gamers taking part in on the prime of their sport all the world over, and we all know that now we have to be at our very best.
“We’re within the begin of one thing new, however the indicators had been already there the opposite evening that after we get it proper, we could be a actually robust crew to play in opposition to.”
Irvine, who wore the captain’s armband in opposition to China after goalkeeper Maty Ryan was dropped for Joe Gauci, can have a vital function to play.
Shutting down Liverpool star Wataru Endo and midfield associate Hidemasa Morita shall be essential to figuring out the end result of the sport.
“In fact Wataru is likely one of the prime midfielders, however I feel even you’ll say Morita might be the extra in-form participant in the meanwhile with the objectives he scored already this season and the extent that they are taking part in at,” Irvine stated.
“Even for myself, it is probably going to be an enormous particular person check arising in opposition to gamers like that — however once more, not one thing we’ve not accomplished previously and overcome.
“So these are the moments, and you have to rise to the largest challenges and present what you would be able to.”
Irvine is cautious of displaying an excessive amount of respect, too.
“You have to be good. You need to be,” he stated.
“They have so many various methods to attain objectives. They have particular person high quality, they’re good in transition, they have tempo, they have creativity.
“However now we have all of these issues as nicely.
“In the event you simply try to defend them, that is not the best way this crew desires to play — and I do not suppose that is the best way you are going to get a consequence in opposition to a crew like this.
“You are going to must be courageous with the ball and belief that we have got sufficient high quality to harm them as nicely.”
Even a draw could be a sensational consequence, whereas a win could be amongst Australia’s greatest-ever efforts — and three factors could be big for hopes of direct qualification.
“We’re not too anxious in regards to the massive image in that second,” he stated.
“However I feel the momentum that it may deliver, create just a little little bit of historical past while you’re beginning one thing new, to do one thing that hasn’t been accomplished earlier than, could be a tremendous approach to kick that off and provides everyone the sensation that we’re transferring in in the appropriate course.”
AAP