Japan (16th), the highest-ranked Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nation by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), was unable to hold off Australia (25th) at home.
The Hajime Moriyasu-led Japan national team drew 1-1 with Australia on Friday in the fourth match of Group C of the Asian third qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North and Central America Cup 스포츠토토사이트 at Saitama Stadium in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
The result extended Japan’s unbeaten streak to eight matches (seven wins and one draw) since their 2-1 quarterfinal loss to Iran at the AFC Asian Cup in February.
If you count the 3-0 win over North Korea in March, which was a forfeit after North Korea abruptly changed the venue of the second qualifying match to Pyongyang, North Korea, Japan has scored 29 goals and conceded one in that span.
The goal against Australia was their first in eight matches.
With three wins and a draw from their four qualifying matches, Japan have amassed 10 points to sit atop Group C with a commanding lead.
Australia, which has the fourth-highest FIFA ranking among AFC nations behind Japan, Iran (19th) and South Korea (23rd), suffered an embarrassing 1-0 loss to 76th-ranked Bahrain during their September A-match, followed by a goalless draw with Shin Tae-Yong Ho’s 129th-ranked Indonesia.
After sacking Graham Arnold and handing the reins to Tony Popovic, the Socceroos bounced back with a 3-1 win over China on October 10, followed by a point against Asia’s top-ranked Japan.
The match featured two goals, both own goals.
Japan struck first in the 18th minute of the second half when Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truidijn) tried to clear a cross from the right flank, but instead kicked the ball into his own net.
It was an own goal that saved the day for Japan, who dominated possession 66%-34% and shots 12 to 1, but could have been beaten by an own goal.
In the 21st minute of the second half, this time Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town) stretched out to clear a cross from the left flank.
However, the ball hit Burgess’ leg and went straight into the net, resulting in a goal.
